Simplifying acquisition of essential diagnostics: A comprehensive costing tool for anatomic pathology.

Objectives: Histopathology is the core diagnostic tool for cancer in pathology laboratories around the world, but there are disparities in access to diagnostics globally. As recognition of the need for cancer care and treatment grows, especially in the wake of World Health Organization programs for cervical, breast, and pediatric cancers, policymakers and health care funders are seeking tools and processes that allow for the largest number of patients to receive a diagnosis at the lowest cost.

Methods: As histopathology represents the most cost-effective diagnostic method by sheer number of tumor types and volume, understanding the detailed logistics and costs for histology as well as the impactful benefits of economies of scale (ie, larger volumes are less expensive per patient) and scope (ie, the multiple stains available after basic histology sectioning) is paramount to planning an effective publicly funded or government laboratory.