Troubleshooting in Histopathology Laboratories: Common Challenges and Practical Solutions

Abstract

Histopathology laboratories are pivotal to accurate and timely disease diagnosis, particularly for cancer and tissue-based disorders. Technical variability across grossing, fixation, decalcification, processing, embedding, microtomy, staining, and coverslipping can generate artifacts, erode diagnostic confidence, and necessitate repeat work. This review synthesizes common troubleshooting challenges encountered throughout the routine histopathology workflow and proposes pragmatic, evidence‑informed corrective actions. Emphasis is placed on pre‑analytical quality (e.g., specimen handling and fixation), process control (e.g., dehydration, clearing, and paraffin infiltration), section quality (e.g., ribbon formation and compression), and stain reliability (e.g., deparaffinization, hydration, and hematoxylin–eosin optimization). Practical tables summarize problem–cause–solution triads for each stage, highlighting controllable sources of error and preventive measures. Collectively, the recommendations aim to strengthen slide quality, reduce rework, and improve diagnostic accuracy and laboratory efficiency.