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Diagnostics
Special Issues
Hot Topics in Modern and Personalized Pathology
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Hot Topics in Modern and Personalized Pathology

A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 1936

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Sergejs Isajevs

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia
Interests: diagnostic pathology; tumour biomarkers; molecular pathology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, “Hot Topics in Modern and Personalized Pathology”, collates state-of-the-art knowledge of modern advances in human pathology, including molecular and translational studies focusing on personalized diagnostics and tissue biomarkers. This Special Issue provides a platform for disseminating key opinions and research from leaders in the field through the timely publication of papers covering the latest developments and advances in pathology. 

For this Special Issue, we welcome high-quality original research focusing on the latest advances in disease diagnostics, prognosis, and treatment, including personalized diagnostics contributed to patient care, tumor diagnostics, tumor biomarkers, as well as studies reinforcing the evidence base of techniques in pathology such as immunohistochemistry, molecular and ultrastructural pathology. 

Manuscripts from different pathology and laboratory medicine areas are welcomed, especially those related to novel tissue diagnostic advances, molecular pathology, digital pathology, oncological pathology, and rare cancer studies.

We encourage you to submit a manuscript for this forthcoming Special Issue. 

Prof. Dr. Sergejs Isajevs
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diagnostics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • personalized diagnostics and tissue biomarkers
  • molecular pathology, digital pathology, oncological pathology, and rare cancer studies
  • tumor diagnostics and tumor biomarkers
  • immunohistochemistry, molecular and ultrastructural pathology
  • laboratory medicine

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 1077 KB  
Article
Clinicopathologic Determinants of Lymph Node Count and Prognostic Significance of Metastatic Lymph Node Ratio in Colorectal Cancer
by Fatma Yildirim, Murat Sezak, Osman Bozbiyik, Pinar Gursoy and Basak Doganavsargil
Diagnostics 2025, 15(23), 2962; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15232962 - 22 Nov 2025
Viewed by 304
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Accurate lymph node (LN) evaluation is crucial to predicting outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC). Higher lymph node counts (LNCs) improve prognosis, whereas increased metastatic involvement worsens survival. This study aimed to identify factors associated with higher LNCs and evaluate the prognostic [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Accurate lymph node (LN) evaluation is crucial to predicting outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC). Higher lymph node counts (LNCs) improve prognosis, whereas increased metastatic involvement worsens survival. This study aimed to identify factors associated with higher LNCs and evaluate the prognostic value of the metastatic lymph node ratio (MLNR). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 989 CRC resections. Patients were stratified into four MLNR categories—MLNR0 (no metastasis), MLNR1 (<0.20), MLNR2 (0.20–0.50), and MLNR3 (>0.50)—and into two LNC groups—lower LNC (<12) and higher LNC (≥12). Results: The median LN count was 14 (range: 5–198). Lower LNCs occurred in 346 cases (35.0%), predominantly in the left colon. Higher LNCs were significantly associated with younger age (p < 0.001), larger tumor size (p < 0.001), higher pN stage (p < 0.001), right-sided location (p = 0.003), Crohn’s-like lymphocytic response (p = 0.006), and the absence of satellite nodules (p = 0.016). There were 86 pT4 and 178 pN2 tumors. Overall survival was 50.6%, with the 1-, 3-, and 5-year rates being 0.891, 0.721, and 0.612, respectively. Survival was higher in patients with higher LNCs (53.5% vs. 45.1%, p < 0.001). Survival rates by MLNR were 61.2% (MLNR0), 47.7% (MLNR1), 34.0% (MLNR2), and 26.4% (MLNR3). Mortality strongly correlated with MLNR (p < 0.001), and life expectancy decreased as MLNR increased (p < 0.01). Conclusions: MLNR provides superior prognostic information compared to pN status, even in patients with suboptimal lymph node retrieval (LNC < 12). As an independent survival predictor, MLNR may be integrated into staging systems and guide therapeutic strategies, highlighting its clinical utility in both standard and “gray zone” CRC cases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hot Topics in Modern and Personalized Pathology)
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16 pages, 2314 KB  
Article
Placental Pathological Findings and Clinical Outcomes in Triplet Pregnancies Conceived via Oocyte Donation and Non-Oocyte Donation: A Case–Control Study
by Eva Manuela Pena-Burgos, Maria De la Calle, Jose Juan Pozo-Kreilinger, Cecilia García-Díaz and Rita María Regojo-Zapata
Diagnostics 2025, 15(21), 2681; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15212681 - 23 Oct 2025
Viewed by 360
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to assess whether oocyte donation in triplet pregnancies is associated with increased risk of placental abnormalities and pregnancy complications compared to triplet pregnancies conceived through assisted reproductive technology (ART) without oocyte donation. Methods: This single-center, retrospective, case–control [...] Read more.
Objective: This study aimed to assess whether oocyte donation in triplet pregnancies is associated with increased risk of placental abnormalities and pregnancy complications compared to triplet pregnancies conceived through assisted reproductive technology (ART) without oocyte donation. Methods: This single-center, retrospective, case–control study analyzed triplet pregnancies conceived via ART. The case group included pregnancies resulting from oocyte donation, while the control group comprised triplet pregnancies conceived by ART without oocyte donation. Maternal, obstetric, fetal, and neonatal outcomes were assessed. Gross and histopathological placental findings were evaluated using standardized criteria. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed. Results: A total of 77 triplet pregnancies (231 fetuses) were included: 29 in the oocyte donation group (87 fetuses) and 48 in the non-oocyte donation group (144 fetuses). Multivariate analysis revealed significantly higher rates of pregnancy-induced hypertension (p = 0.03), preeclampsia (p = 0.03), fetal growth restriction (p = 0.04), and fetal death (p = 0.01) in the oocyte donation group. Placental evaluation showed a higher frequency of infarcts (p = 0.04) and chronic inflammatory lesions—chronic villitis (p = 0.02) and chronic deciduitis (p = 0.03)—as well as signs of fetal vascular malperfusion, including avascular villi (p = 0.02) and stromal–vascular karyorrhexis (p = 0.01). Intervillous fibrin deposition was also more common in this group (p = 0.02). Conclusions: Oocyte donation in triplet pregnancies is associated with increased rates of placental abnormalities and adverse maternal and fetal outcomes when compared with ART without oocyte donation. Placental examination may provide valuable insights into the mechanisms involved. Further research is warranted to clarify the underlying immunological and vascular pathways. Synopsis: In our cohort of 77 triplet pregnancies, those conceived via oocyte donation showed significantly higher rates of preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and fetal death. Placental examination revealed more chronic villitis, deciduitis, intervillous fibrin, avascular villi, and stromal–vascular karyorrhexis, suggesting immune and vascular dysfunction in oocyte donation pregnancies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hot Topics in Modern and Personalized Pathology)
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19 pages, 1654 KB  
Article
The Emotional Anatomy of Diagnosis: A Medical Humanities Approach to Empathy in Pathology
by Iuliu Gabriel Cocuz, Raluca Niculescu, Maria Cătălina Popelea, Adrian-Horațiu Sabău, Maria-Elena Cocuz, Martin Manole, Alexandru-Constantin Ioniță, Giordano Altarozzi, Maria Tătar-Dan, Ovidiu Simion Cotoi and Dorina Maria Pașca
Diagnostics 2025, 15(15), 1842; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15151842 - 22 Jul 2025
Viewed by 819
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Pathology is often perceived as a technical medical specialty that lacks direct contact with the patient. However, oncological histopathological diagnosis requires a high degree of moral and emotional responsibility. The objective of this study was to investigate how empathy is manifested toward [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Pathology is often perceived as a technical medical specialty that lacks direct contact with the patient. However, oncological histopathological diagnosis requires a high degree of moral and emotional responsibility. The objective of this study was to investigate how empathy is manifested toward the “invisible” patient, the emotional impact on pathology staff, and potential repercussions in their personal lives. Method: We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative component, using an anonymous 22-item questionnaire among Romanian pathologists and medical personnel working in pathology services. The questionnaire was focused on three research directions: professional empathy in the absence of direct patient contact, the emotional impact of oncologic diagnosis on medical personnel in pathology departments, and the carryover of emotions from professional to personal life. A total of 165 respondents were included in the study (physicians, technicians, registrars). Results: Most of the respondents consider that the absence of the patient’s direct contact does not cancel the empathy, this being felt in a cognitive and more natural way. Over 60% of the respondents see oncologic histopathological diagnosis as an emphatic medical act. Over 80% of the respondents experience a sense of emotional responsibility and 70% consider that professional training does not include adequate emotional support. There is a high interest in empathy and psychological support. The professional activity of a pathologist may influence sleep, dreams, and the perception on their own health status. Diagnosing pediatric or young patients is perceived as particularly emotionally challenging. Collegial support is moderate and discussion about professional stress is rare. Conclusions: Empathy is present and relevant in pathology, despite the absence of direct patient interaction. Oncological diagnostics has a significant emotional impact on pathology department personnel, with the need to acknowledge the emotional dimension of the profession and to integrate psychological support mechanisms into pathology practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hot Topics in Modern and Personalized Pathology)
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