According to experts in the field of pathology, nationwide medical care in Germany is at risk. This was pointed out by the German Society of Pathology (DGP ) at its annual conference in Leipzig on Friday. Pathology is an indispensable pillar for diagnostics, therapy planning and follow-up, particularly in the case of cancer, the experts emphasized. In Germany, pathologists assess more than 95 percent of all tissue samples taken in cases of suspected cancer. However, there are currently only 1,753 pathology specialists available nationwide – this corresponds to one pathologist for around 48,000 people. In comparison, the ratio in radiology is 1:8,500. In addition, more than half of pathologists are over 50 years old and will retire in the coming years.

According to conference president Prof. Dr. Philipp Ströbel, there are too few experts and too few young scientists in Germany for the large number of diseases and their subgroups. Specializations, such as those required for rare and complex cases, are usually the result of individual interests and not part of an overarching strategy. Ströbel called for a needs analysis in the healthcare system and defined quality criteria for specialty centers. Without fundamental changes, there was a risk of major gaps in care within a few years, especially in cancer diagnostics.

Prof. Dr. Michael Ghadimi, President of the German Cancer Society, also emphasized the key role of pathology in cancer care. Without well-founded pathological diagnostics, no treatment decisions can be made for cancer. Pathology is indispensable, especially in view of new, increasingly complex therapies. The situation is particularly problematic for rare diseases such as sarcomas. In Germany, only around 20 pathologists have the necessary specialist knowledge for this rare form of cancer. Less than half of affected patients are treated in specialized centers, and even fewer receive a pathological second opinion, although this leads to a different diagnosis in up to 30 percent of cases, explained Prof. Dr. Eva Wardelmann.

Secondary diagnosis in special centers is neither prescribed nor financed in Germany. It is therefore hardly worthwhile for pathology institutes to build up specialist knowledge, which makes the subject unattractive for young talent. The DGP sees the security of care at risk. “Pathology is not a secondary subject – it is the backbone of medicine,” said DGP Chairman Prof. Dr. Christoph Röcken. Despite its central role, pathology remains underfunded and undervalued in the German healthcare system. The current hospital reform focuses on clinical subjects and general medicine and neglects the cross-sectional subject of pathology and rare diseases. Röcken called for political backing and reliable framework conditions in order to secure specialist excellence in pathology.

_{Editorial office: X-Press Journalistenbürö GbR}

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