The Ochsner Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine plays an integral role in the diagnosis and management of patients with cancer. In addition to standard methods of determining whether or not a tumor is malignant and techniques for tumor staging, the Ochsner Pathology Department employs several innovative techniques, including advanced immunohistochemistry to help identify the origin of unusual tumors and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to help identify residual tumor cells and the origins of tumors from very small samples. These determinations can have a direct impact on how clinicians treat cancer. The Ochsner Pathology Department is accredited by the College of American Pathologists.