Guide for establishing a pathology laboratory in the context of cancer control

Interventions such as screening and multimodal treatment of early stage of certain types of cancer are only applicable when pathology services are in place, because without the identification of malignant nature of the disease and determination of histopathologic features, effective treatment cannot be delivered. Expansion of national cancer control programmes, therefore, inevitably requires strong and reliable pathology services. Countries with limited pathology service capacity may need to establish a new pathology laboratory or strengthen the existing laboratory function, ensuring safety and quality. 

This guide is intended to support programme managers and health officials to understand the minimum requirements for establishing a pathology laboratory with histopathology and cytopathology services. As there is no single approach that fits all situations, the implementation of the elements of this guide will vary depending on the local context and need to be adapted accordingly.