Molecular Surgical Pathology for the Practicing Pathologist

Date: April 19-21, 2010
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Credits: 22.25 CME

Core Competencies: PC, MK, ICS, PBL, PR, SBP
Intended Audience: Pathologists, Pathology Residents

Stay on the cutting edge with new information about:

• Molecular subsets and HER2 testing guidelines in breast carcinoma
• Prophylactic thyroid surgery decision-making based on Ret mutation screening in MEN II
• EGFR, KRAS, and BRAF mutation screening in non-small cell lung carcinomas and colorectal carcinomas
• DNA mismatch repair defect screening in Lynch syndrome
• Molecular and cytogenetic testing in lymphomas and leukemias
• Role of cytogenetics in sarcomas and urothelial carcinoma
• Use of microsatellite panels to define tissue identity

Special course features:

• Preview cases on-line before the course
• Learner engagement using audience response system
• Course syllabus with lecture topic text and references included
• SAM credits (on-line pre and post-test required)

Get an in-depth introduction to the new world of molecular pathology testing. The expert faculty will use cases to discuss the topic, the molecular workup, and the reporting of the molecular tests. And they will give you valuable advice about setting up a lab and bringing in new tests, which tests to send out, reporting molecular test results, validating in-lab assays, and achieving compliance in the new regulatory environment. Plenty of time will be available to ask questions after each lecture and at the end of each day. Molecular pathology offers unparalleled opportunities to quickly screen for disease-associated mutations and pharmacogenetic predictors of response to specific therapy. At this course, you’ll learn how to integrate molecular pathology data into your diagnostic process, and to report that data so that clinicians can understand the significance. You’ll begin with an introduction to concepts and terminology, followed by case examples which will demonstrate molecular pathology concepts, tools for screening molecular variables, and the relevance of those variables to patient care.

Following this course, you will be able to:

• Apply new concepts, terminology, indications, and applications of molecular pathology into your practice.
• Utilize molecular pathology tests to improve the accuracy of your morphologic diagnosis.
• Assess differences in disease pathogenesis based on molecular pathology test results.
• Identify molecular subsets relevant to disease natural history and relevant to patient response to customized therapies.
• Determine which tests to bring in or send out.
• Formulate a plan to validate new in-lab assays.
• Advise clinicians regarding the significance of molecular test results.

The ASCP designates these educational activities for a maximum of 22.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activities.

This activity meets MOC Part II Lifelong Learning requirements. A self-assessment option is available for pathologists attending this program to earn SAM credits for Maintenance of Certification, Part II Self-Assessment Modules (MOC-SAM) for part of the course.