[Use of mathematics in pathological anatomy]

The author discusses the possibilities of using mathematics in pathological anatomy studies on the basis of data from literature and his own studies. The information on the organization and planning of a mathematical investigation and on the features of the system approach to investigation of pathomorphology problems is presented. The main stages of the mathematical analysis of pathological changes are described with special reference to the use of likelihood and information approaches to the evaluation of the pathology of morphological systems at all levels of the structural organization. The principles of mathematical modelling and axiomatization of pathomorphological processes are outlined. The paper is illustrated with mathematical models of age dynamics of atherosclerosis and informational characteristics of the process of malignization of the stratified squamous epithelium. The general principles of further development of quantitative pathomorphology are briefly discussed.