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WHAT WE DO

A.C.T diagnostics is a Ghanaian medical diagnostics company that provides anatomical pathology services. It is our belief that the best outcomes for the patient are obtained when anatomic pathology clinical practice is done in close collaboration with other clinical disciplines of medicine. In that regard A.C.T maintains a close relationship with all non-pathology clinicians who use our service. We are available to enrich the diagnostic experience and knowledge of non-pathology clinicians. Anatomic pathology as a discipline of laboratory medicine is divided into many branches, the commonest of which are;

Histopathology

Cytopathology

Private autopsy services

Molecular pathology and Immunohistochemistry (This service is under the control of pathologists without borders)

These various branches form the basis of the sub-specialties of Anatomic pathology such as dermatopathology, gynecological pathology, pediatric pathology and many other sub-specialties that are mostly organ system based. Among other things, A.C.T has special interest in gynecologic pathology, breast pathology and gastrointestinal pathology. This is because we believe in building capacity in the areas where our highest burden of disease is. However, due to the unique location of our practice, we have expertise in general surgical pathology and have support from our sister laboratory, Pathologists Without Borders in Accra to carry out immunohistochemistry (IHC) for all cases that require it.

It is recommended that all tissues removed from patients are taken to the pathology laboratory for microscopic examination. This ensures that a diagnosis is made on the excised tissue and the patient told what was removed from his or her body. It ensures that cancers are diagnosed and dealt with promptly, before they spread to other sites within the body. By examining cancer tissues under the microscope, pathologists can tell which cancers grow fast, so that patients with such cancers can be treated aggressively from the outset to ensure that they have better outcomes.

In recent times, there is also the need to treat patients as individuals since different patients respond to different medications especially when the issue is cancer. In this regard tissues taken from patients with cancer are tested in the pathology laboratory for response to specific target drugs prior to treatment. The most common indication for such testing nowadays is breast cancer. This also form a large part of the cases received at A.C.T.

A.C.T is a pathology laboratory that brings these services to patients in remote areas and makes its wide network available to support patients in these areas where hitherto, pathology services were only a dream. We believe that were there is a will there is a way and location alone should not be a reason why patients in our villages are denied optimal care.

HISTOPATHOLOGY

At A.C.T, we microscopically examine all tissue biopsies taken from patients either before surgery or at surgery. Following our examination, we provide reports based on world accepted data sets (standards). These reports contain information that describe the nature and behavior of specific diseases and cancers. They also describe the extent of spread of cancers and in some cases, the medications that each individual patient will respond to. This approach improves patient survival while eliminating unwanted side effects.

Prior to surgery, a diagnosis of cancer is timely and guides surgeons in their choice of surgical procedure. It also improves patient outcomes since surgeons do not leave behind cancerous tissue that recur and are more difficult to remove the second time. Finally, it ensures that cancers are not diagnosed at a late stage when they have already metastasized (spread) to other organs.

CYTOPATHOLOGY

At A.C.T, we microscopically examine cells obtained either by active aspiration with a needle and syringe. This is done at our office or by treating clinicians who have the expertise to do so. Again, cells may also be found in fluid collections in body cavities of patients. We support individuals and laboratories carrying out cervical cancer screening across Ghana by reporting PAP smears for them. We encourage sustained mass screening since it allows for batching of cases and reduction in fees charged patients.

PRIVATE AUTOPSY SERVICES

With a wide anatomic pathology network, we arrange private autopsies for individuals and institutions that require such services.  Our services in this area also includes court appearances if in court if need be.