0800-1130

W411: Molecular Embryology: A Primer, with an Outlook on Molecular Oncology

W412: Laboratory Management Practice Skills 101

W413: Diagnostic Challenges in Cytology and Histology of Uterine Cervix

W414: Molecular Pathology in Cancer: Stepping Into the Epoch of Personalized Medicine

0800-1130

W511: Histopathologic Diagnosis of Pre-Invasive Lesions of the Female Genital Tract

W512: Skin Pathology: Putting the Pieces Together

W513: Pearls and Pitfalls in Prostate and Testis Pathology

W515: Sentinal Lymph Node Biopsy in Breast Cancer

0830-1200

W516: Autoantibody-based Neurological Disorders: Clinical Suspicion to Laboratory Diagnosis

W517: Lymphoproliferative Diseases

1300-1630

W421: Reactive Hematolymphoid Disorders that Mimic Neoplastic Lesions: To Be or Not To Be a Lymphoma

W423: What's Wrong with FNA of the Thyroid?

W424: Perinatal Pathology Made Easy: Placental and Fetal Findings in Adverse Pregnancy Outcome

1300-1630

W521: Practical Pathology of the Luminal Gastrointestinal Tract

W522: Breast Pathology: New Entities and New Insights into Old Entities

W523: Forensic Pathology and Sudden Death - Looking Beyond the Standard Autopsy

W524: A Modern Approach to the Diagnosis, Staging and Reporting of Kidney Tumors

1330-1700

W526: Tumor Markers: Learning from the Past, Stepping into the Future

W527: Clinical LC/MS: From Business Case to Routine Service

This clinically oriented 3 hour introductory course assumes little or no prior molecular genetics background, as the concepts will be explained throughout. It is designed for residents and pathologists, and aims to explain molecular embryology in simple terms, and to show how these molecular cascades can be hijacked by cancer cells. We will discuss: 1) cellular differentiation, including DNA methylation, histone acetylation, heterochromatinization through Polycomb proteins, master switch genes / transcription factors, and the concept of “double insurance”; 2) the genetic contribution of each parent, including genomic imprinting; 3) cell proliferation, including proto- and anti-oncogenes, and apoptosis; 4) cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) including cell migration and the tridimensional shaping of the embryo, and metastatic predilection of certain organs; and 5) segmentation genes, including HOX, PAX, retinoic acid, and how they relate to Opitz' "developmental fields".

Once the different molecular tools available to the embryo are understood, we will use the central nervous system as a model, in order to see graphically how they interact to form complex structures. The final section of this course is to allow pathologists to gain a perspective of how the embryo develops, so as to be able to acquire a molecular differential diagnosis / approach in cases of malformations. Basic concepts, rather than details and minutia, will be stressed throughout the course. As a clinical fetopathologist, I will try to convey a diagnostic approach to human malformations.

Objectives:

• Know the fundamental molecular cascades involved in making a human embryo, and their relevance to oncogenesis;
• Understand how these cascades interact to form organs;
• Be able to develop a molecular diagnostic approach to malformations.

Format: Didactic

Go to top

The practice of Laboratory Medicine involves the application of more "Management Skills" than many other medical specialties; Pathologists practice in a high risk, demanding and complex environment which resembles an “assembly-line” operation producing thousands of data items crucial to clinical practice on a daily basis. Management in the clinical laboratory encompasses marshaling of human, scientific, technological and data resources in an effort to optimize patient care. In addition, the clinical laboratory is a highly regulated and medical legal environment where quality improvement plays a central and increasingly important role. Many pathologists are called upon to act as a Divisional or Departmental Director, often early in one's professional career. With little or no training or preparation, leading and managing a team of medically and non-medically trained professionals can be a daunting task creating additional demands and stress in addition to existing clinical responsibilities. This workshop will draw on the theoretical training and considerable management experience of the Directors and will provide a platform in management theory and professional practice, including how to deal with uncomfortable or "toxic" working environments. In addition, basic financial skills and analysis of remuneration models for Pathologists in Canada, important for both established and newly graduated Pathologists, will be reviewed.

Objectives:

• To provide an overview of current management theory as applied to the Clinical Laboratory with a review of national trends and an environmental scan;
• To briefly review existing remuneration models for Pathologists (i.e., self-employed contractor, employee, incorporated physician and membership in an alternative payment plan (APP), as well as different combinations of these arrangements), including professional, business and income tax implications;
• To briefly discuss the potential benefits and pitfalls of incorporation for Pathologists in Canada in 2011;
• To examine models of professional practice management in clinical (mostly anatomical pathology) practice including measuring and reviewing physician performance, quality management and conflict resolution;
• To provide both new and experienced practitioners insights on the modern workplace environment in anatomic and clinical pathology, including the responsibilities of the Laboratory Director.

Click here: Dr. Brian Cummings biography

Dr. Brian Cummings
Dr. Cummings is a Chartered Accountant (BBA,CA) and a Staff Pathologist at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener, Ontario. He attended the University of Prince Edward Island and Dalhousie University and was admitted to Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2002. He taught managerial accounting and taxation at UPEI's School of Business Administration. He has served as a Physician Consultant to the Canadian Medical Association since 2002 and has lectured to specialty residents across the country on financial and tax planning matters. He has presented at many specialty meetings including the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, the Canadian Ophthalmology Society, the Canadian Association of Pathologists and the Canadian Society of Internal Medicine.
-------------------------------------------

Click here: Dr. Murray Treloar biography

Dr. Murray Treloar
Dr. Treloar qualified in General Pathology (FRCPC, FCAP and FASCP 1979). Murray’s career has been in community hospitals in Ontario, combining General Pathology practice with medical leadership as Director and Chief of Laboratory Medicine, Genetics and Pathology (1982-2010) and more recently as Chief of Staff (2007-present). He also holds appointment as a Lecturer (part-time) in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.
-------------------------------------------

Click here: Dr. Denis Macdonald biography

Dr. Denis Macdonald
Dr. Macdonald qualified in Hematological Pathology, Anatomical Pathology and American Boards of Pathology (1981,1986) and has practised in both academic and community hospital settings. He also obtained a MBA degree from the Rotman School of Management (U of T 1989) and has been an associate consultant with the Ernst & Young group. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto and a Fellow and Certified Physician Executive of the American College of Physician Executives.
-------------------------------------------

Format: Didactic

Go to top

This course is designed to provide updated pragmatic, problem-solving knowledge for residents, fellows, practicing surgical pathologists and cytopathologists who also wish to remain current with the changing trends in cytodiagnosis and gynecologic pathology. It addresses the resolution of diagnostic pitfalls relative to gynecologic cytopathology and histopathology. Selected cases will be presented as unknowns and discussed using an audience response system to facilitate audience participation. Powerpoint presentations for each topic are included in the course.

Objectives:

• Know the key cytological and histological features of usual and complicated squamous and glandular lesions of cervix;
• Recognize recently described entities and understand their clinical significance;
• The participants will obtain an understanding of new standards, techniques, criteria and classifications in gynecologic pathology.

Click here: Dr. Golnar Rasty biography

Dr. Golnar Rasty
Dr. Golnar Rasty is a graduate of Shahid Beheshti University Tehran, Iran (1987). She completed her residency in Anatomical/Clinical pathology (1997) and fellowship in Gynecology and Breast Pathology (1998) and Cytopathology (1999) at University of Florida, USA. She is board certified in Anatomical Pathology by American Board of Pathology and RCPSC and in Cytopathology by ABP. At present, she is an Associate Professor of Pathology at University of Toronto, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology.
-------------------------------------------

Click here: Dr. Marjan Rouzbahman biography

Dr. Marjan Rouzbahman
Dr. Marjan Rouzbahman obtained her Medical Degree from the Faculty of Medicine at University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran (1997). She completed her training in Anatomical Pathology at the University of Toronto and obtained her fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and American Board of Pathology in Anatomic Pathology (2007). She is currently an Assistant Professor at the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto, Toronto General Hospital. Her main area of interest is gynecological pathology and she is actively involved in gynecological pathology and cytopathology sign out and the post graduate teaching of residents and fellows.
-------------------------------------------

Format: Digital Camera

Go to top

This workshop is intended to provide an update regarding the rapidly evolving field of molecular testing in cancer. Advances in this field will have a major impact in diagnosis and management of cancer patients and, as well, will lead to moving into a new era of personalized medicine in cancer care. We will start with an overview of the basics of cancer genetics. We will then provide an overview of the spectrum of applications of molecular pathology cancer diagnosis and management. Specific examples of common neoplasms will be discussed. A quick overview of the principles of the most commonly used techniques will be also presented. Using illustrative cases, we will discuss the role of molecular testing in colorectal cancer and its impact on patient management. The molecular events involved in colorectal cancer pathogenesis will be summarized. We will then introduce the concept of "personalized medicine" and discuss its great potential on cancer patient management. A short discussion will follow to highlight the potential role of miRNA in cancer diagnosis and management. This workshop will be of value to general and anatomical pathologists, pathology residents and fellows.

Objectives:

• Have an overview of the basics of cancer genetics, with emphasis on colon cancer pathogenesis;
• Recognize recently described entities and understand their clinical significance;
• Understand the increasingly important role of molecular pathology and its impact on patient management and understand the principles of the most commonly used techniques of molecular pathology, and be able to select the appropriate technique for the test to be performed;
• Be more familiar with the concept of “personalized medicine” in cancer and its potential impact on patient management, and to have a brief overview of the emerging role of “microRNA” testing in cancer care.

Click here: Dr. George M. Yousef biography

Dr. George M. Yousef
Dr. George M Yousef is a pathologist at St. Michael’s Hospital and an associate professor at the University of Toronto. His current research focuses on an integrated approach for the discovery of biomarkers for kidney cancer using quantitative proteomics, microRNS, and genomic approaches. His research resulted in over 130 published articles and is funded by CIHR, CCS and the Kidney Foundation of Canada. He is an invited speaker in a number of National and International events.
-------------------------------------------

Click here: Dr. Serge Jothy biography

Dr. Serge Jothy
Dr. Serge Jothy is the Chief of the Department of Laboratory Medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital and Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto. He received his MD degree from the University of Bordeaux, France and his PhD from McGill University. He trained in pathology at Queen’s University in Kingston. He has held senior pathologist positions at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto. His research interests include the molecular pathology of colon cancer.
-------------------------------------------

Format: Didactic

Go to top

Cases of reactive hematolymphoid lesions and lymphadenopathies that can have overlapping features with malignant hematologic neoplasms both clinically and morphologically will be presented. Reactive conditions that are robust enough to simulate neoplasia will be discussed with emphasis on lymph node compartment patterns and identifying selective proliferation of cell types. Special emphasis on the features that can help to distinguish such lesions from each other in the lymph node, bone marrow, liver or spleen will be highlighted with examples. The use of immunohistochemistry and other ancillary modalities will be shown.

Objectives:

• Review the histopathologic findings of reactive hematolymphoid lesions in the lymph nodes, spleen and bone marrow, both common and uncommon;
• Illustrate examples of reactive lymphadenopathies that may overlap with malignant hematologic neoplasms;
• Discuss the use of immunohistochemistry and other ancillary studies to aid in the distinction of these entities.

Format: Didactic

Go to top

Workshop participants will be faced with 13 case challenges that will serve as focal points in this comprehensive review of thyroid FNA. The workshop will address common problems and diagnostic errors that arise in FNA of the thyroid and illustrate both the cytologic and diagnostic features of a variety of common and not-so-common inflammatory and neoplastic thyroid masses. During this course, the new NCI endorsed terminology for thyroid FNA will be explored. A number of approaches to the diagnosis of thyroid cytology will be discussed including approaches to those troublesome follicular patterned lesions and Hürthle cell lesions. At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will be confronted with additional diagnostic challenges to assess their newly acquired knowledge.

This workshop will be of value to pathologists who report on thyroid FNAs, pathology residents, and cytotechnologists.

Objectives:

• Review common diagnostic errors in FNA of thyroid lesions;
• Examine the cytologic and diagnostic features of inflammatory and neoplastic lesions of the thyroid;
• Develop an approach to those troublesome follicular patterned lesions and Hürthle cell (oncocytic) lesions;
• Acquire familiarity with the new NCI endorsed terminology for thyroid FNA.

Click here: Dr. Scott Boerner biography

Dr. Scott Boerner
Dr. Boerner’s training in Anatomical Pathology was at the University of Toronto, with a fellowship in Cytopathology from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. For a number of years, Dr. Boerner has been Head of the Division of Cytopathology at the University Health Network and an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto. Dr. Boerner has extensive experience in Cytopathology with particular interest in improving the quality and practice of Cytopathology by means of practical, no nonsense approaches.
-------------------------------------------

Format: Digital Camera

Go to top

The workshop will focus on commonly encountered problems in perinatal pathology. It will be designed for pathology residents and pathologists practicing in community hospitals or tertiary hospitals that do not have specialized fetal/perinatal expertise. The workshop will be presented in lecture format but questions and interaction will be encouraged throughout the presentation. In order to best utilize the available time, the emphasis will be on learning an approach to fetal and placental specimens, rather than trying to show examples of multiple unusual entities. The three main topics covered will be: 1. The approach to pregnancy losses in the 1st and 2nd trimester: What can we learn from the macerated fetus and its placenta? What can we learn from curettage specimens? 2. The approach to the unexplained third trimester stillbirth: what are common findings in the placenta and the fetus? 3. The approach to intrauterine growth restriction; the optimum placental examination and commonest pathologic findings in the placenta.This workshop will be of value to: Pathology Residents, General and Anatomic Pathologists.

Objectives:

• The learner will be given an approach to pregnancy losses from the first and second trimester. Following the workshop the learner will know when to perform a complete dissection of a surgical fetus, what can be learned from the placental tissue and when special studies are indicated;
• The learner will become familiar with the common placental abnormalities found in third trimester stillbirth and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Furthermore, following the workshop the learner will recognize what placental abnormalities are likely to recur in subsequent pregnancies;
• The learner will acquire an approach to congenital anomalies, both common and rare, which are associated with pregnancy loss. Following the workshop, the learner will appreciate the important differences between an adult and a perinatal autopsy and how to preserve anatomic structures during dissection so that the full extent of anomalies can be appreciated and appropriately documented.

Click here: Dr. Sarah Keating biography

Dr. Sarah Keating
Dr. Sarah Keating is a perinatal pathologist and head of the perinatal pathology service, a busy tertiary centre for high risk pregnancies in central Ontario. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto. Her research interests include placental pathophysiology in intrauterine growth restriction, pre-eclampsia, preterm labour and stillbirth.
-------------------------------------------

Click here: Dr. Patrick Shannon biography

Dr. Patrick Shannon
Dr. Patrick Shannon was trained in both anatomical pathology and neuropathology, and shares the perinatal pathology service at Mount Sinai Hospital. He is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, and is interested in the relationships between placental pathology, fetal pathology and dysmorphology.
-------------------------------------------

Format: Didactic

Go to top

This course will provide a case-based overview of pre-invasive neoplastic lesions of the female genital tract. It will focus primarily on cervix and endometrium, with lesser emphasis on vulva, fallopian tube and gestational trophoblastic disease. With vulva and cervical pathology, the spectrum of pre-invasive squamous and glandular lesions will be reviewed with particular reference to histopathologic criteria and to indications for biomarkers, which may be helpful in the interpretation of these lesions and in their differentiation from benign mimics.

The endometrial component will cover classification systems for endometrial hyperplasia, histologic features useful in distinguishing the categories of hyperplasia and differentiation from both benign conditions and invasive malignancy. In addition, the role of immunohistochemistry as an adjunct tool will be reviewed. The endometrial component will also cover putative precursors to serous carcinoma.

Recently there has been much literature on the fallopian tube as the site of origin of serous carcinomas involving the ovaries. This has led to some suggested changes in pathology practice when dealing with pelvic masses and adnexal specimens. New grossing protocols to improve assessment of the fimbriated end of the tube will be presented as well as the spectrum of changes seen and the use of immunohistochemistry in interpreting these lesions.

There will also be a review of hydatidiform moles, complete and partial, as precursors to choriocarcinoma. This will include the diagnostic criteria and how they have evolved with earlier clinical intervention in addition to the role of adjuvant techniques in diagnosis.

The workshop will be of value to pathology residents, general and anatomic pathologists.

Objectives:

• To know and apply the major histopathologic criteria in the diagnosis of pre-invasive lesions of the female genital tract and to recognise differential diagnostic issues;
• To understand and interpret the ancillary tests that may aid in the diagnosis of these early pre-invasive lesions;
• To recognize diagnostic pitfalls in the interpretation of pre-invasive gynecologic conditions.

Click here: Dr. William Chapman biography

Dr. William Chapman
Bill Chapman is a pathologist at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto and Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at The University of Toronto. Bill graduated in Medicine at the University of Western Ontario and then went on to complete an Anatomical Pathology residency at UWO. Inspired by his mentor Mary Ellen Kirk, Bill proceeded to Fellowship training in Gynecological Pathology under Bob Kurman at Georgetown University. Since completing training, most of Bill’s professional life has been involved in subspecialty Gynecological Pathology practice at University Health Network in Toronto. His academic focus has been primarily in Education. More recently, he moved to St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto where his focus has switched to more general practice and to administration, but he retains a strong interest and involvement in Gynecological Pathology.
-------------------------------------------

Click here: Dr. Blaise Clarke biography

Dr. Blaise Clarke
Blaise Clarke is a pathologist at Toronto General Hospital and Assistant professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at The University of Toronto. Blaise graduated from medical school in South Africa and completed his pathology training, before proceeding to a fellowship in gynaecologic and molecular pathology at the University of British Columbia under Blake Gilks.
-------------------------------------------

Format: Didactic

Go to top

A wide range of common problematic skin lesions and cases will be covered, ranging from inflammatory dermatoses to melanocytic tumors to other commonly-encountered non-melanocytic tumors, such as adnexal tumors.

Objectives:

• Histopathological criteria and clues will be discussed and woven together to reach a diagnosis;
• Differential diagnoses will be addressed, with common diagnostic pitfalls highlighted and their prevention stressed;
• To inform and expose the practicing pathologist to the subtleties in skin pathology.

Format: Didactic

Go to top

This workshop will focus on the practical approach to common and diagnostically challenging problems in prostate and testis pathology. Selected topics will cover specific and practical diagnostic issues. The goal of the workshop is to help pathologists-in-training to develop a practical approach in dealing with common problems in prostate and testis pathology. We hope to provide many useful pearls for the everyday practice and point out the common pitfalls that one should be aware of.

This workshop will be of value to pathology residents, PAs, and practicing general and anatomic pathologists.

Objectives:

• Illustrate and understand common diagnostic problems in prostatic and testicular pathology;
• Sharpen the expertise and the diagnostic work-up in resolving common diagnostic problems in prostatic and testicular pathology;
• Develop a practical step-wise approach for diagnostic problems in prostatic and testicular pathology.

Click here: Dr. Kiril Trpkov biography

Dr. Kiril Trpkov
Dr. Kiril Trpkov has graduated from the Medical School in Skopje, Macedonia in 1987, where he also completed his residency training in Anatomical Pathology in 1993. He continued his professional training in1993 at the University of Alberta, Edmonton as a research fellow in Kidney and Transplant Pathology and as a resident in Anatomical Pathology. His postgraduate training included study visits to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston (1999) and to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore (2001). He joined the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Calgary Laboratory Services in 2000. Dr. Trpkov’s areas of expertise and research interest include urological pathology (prostate cancer) and kidney and transplant pathology and his research focus and contributions have been mainly in these areas. During the last decade, Dr. Trpkov has worked in establishing the Anatomical Pathology Laboratory at the Rockyview General Hospital in Calgary, which is part of the centralized regional Urology Program in Calgary, into one of the largest uropathology centres in the country. This unique set-up provides an excellent clinical service in uropathology, but also creates an exceptional environment for research and for resident and student teaching. Dr. Trpkov serves as a uropathology specialist consultant for Southern Alberta and Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary. Currently, Dr. Trpkov is an Associate Professor with the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary. He has received numerous teaching awards and he is featured at the Great Teachers at the University of Calgary web-site (http://greatteachers.ucalgary.ca). One of the awards that he treasures most highly is the Donald W. Penner Award, which he received for the Best Resident Paper at the Canadian Association of Pathologists (CAP) meeting in Toronto in 1998. He is an avid movie and sports buff (downhill skiing, cycling, yoga, gym training) and his main current hobby is travelling to far away places.
-------------------------------------------

Format: Didactic

Go to top

Through didactic presentations and Q&A periods, the speakers will discuss the clinical rationale for sentinel lymph node biopsy breast cancer, including updates on the large NSABP-32 clinical trial, followed by a focus on intro-operative consultation gross specimen handling, histologic processing, pitfalls in interpretation, role of immunohistochemistry, and how to apply TNM clinical staging for breast cancer.

Objectives:

• Understand the use and interpretation of SLNB in breast cancer;
• Recognize the potential pitfalls in diagnosis with routine and immunohistochemical stains;
• Appreciate the clinical staging implications of isolated tumour cells, micrometastases and macrometastases;
• Offer a logical method for gross specimen handling and tissue block sampling for sentinel lymph nodes.

Format: Didactic

Go to top

This workshop is designed to enlighten the attendee on the various clinical neurological conditions that are caused by or associated with the presence of autoantibodies. The clinical syndromes and associated antibodies will be discussed as well as the molecular pathogenesis and laboratory-based diagnosis. Recently identified links between psychiatric conditions and the presence of autoantibodies will be highlighted.

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

• List the neurological conditions that are caused by/associated with autoantibodies;
• Understand the situations where testing is of most use;
• Understand the techniques used in detecting neurological autoantibodies.

Format: Didactic

Go to top

Adult and pediatric lymphoproliferative diseases represent a wide spectrum of malignancy, and the diagnostic and follow-up testing for these conditions can involve different areas within the clinical laboratory. Adult B-cell lymphoproliferative diseases may lead to abnormal production of immunoglobulins: these lymphomas and plasma cell dyscrasias, and their associated monoclonal gammopathies, will be described. Our focus will be the morphologic and phenotypic development B-cells in the context of normal activation in the lymph node follicle. In pediatric patients, the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia now increasingly relies on minimal residual disease (MRD) assessment by flow cytometry, for risk stratification and prognosis. We will discuss the challenges of moving this research technique into the clinical laboratory, and review the BC Children’s Hospital experience with MRD testing in pediatric ALL.

Objectives:

• Explain the appropriate use of serum protein electrophoresis to evaluate monoclonal gammopathies, including B cell lymphomas and plasma cell dyscrasias;
• Summarize the morphologic and other phenotypic findings in adult lymphoproliferative diseases;
• Describe how flow cytometry for MRD detection in pediatric ALL can be set up in the clinical flow cytometry laboratory;
• Outline the most important uses of MRD testing in pediatric ALL.

Format: Didactic

Go to top

In this workshop, we will cover practical issues of gastrointestinal pathology from the esophagus to the anus. We will review the diagnosis of dysplasia and early carcinomas in various sites within the luminal GI tract and review new therapies such as endoscopic mucosal resection. Inflammatory lesions of children and adults will be reviewed, to include eosinophilic esophagitis, celiac disease and atuoimmune disorders of the mucosa. The wide variety of polyps of the stomach, small bowel and colon (including sessile serrated adenomas) will be reviewed and discussed.

The workshop will be of value to general and anatomic pathologists, and pathology residents.

Objectives:

• Explain and discuss the concepts in development and appearance of dysplasia of the luminal gastrointestinal tract: and the relationship between diagnosis of dysplasis and it's implications with respect to treatment options;
• Discuss inflammatory lesions of the GI tract from esophagus to colon;
• Review benign and malignant polyps of the GI tract.

Click here: Dr. Catherine Streutker biography

Dr. Catherine Streutker
Dr. Streutker obtained her Bsc in Biochemistry at the University of Waterloo, and her MSc in Clinical Biochemistry and MD degrees at the University of Toronto. She performed her residency in Anatomic Pathology at the University of Toronto and her Fellowship in Gastrointestinal Pathology with Dr. R. Riddell at McMaster University in Toronto. Since 2001, she has been a staff Pathologist at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Ontario.
-------------------------------------------

Click here: Dr. David Grynspan biography

Dr. David Grynspan
Dr. Grynspan completed his BSc. and MD degrees at the University of Toronto. He completed his AP residency at the University of British Columbia and followed by a Pediatric Pathology Fellowship in Wayne State University and Children’s Hospital of Michigan. He was a staff pathologist at Winnipeg HSC and University of Manitoba from 2007-2010 in pediatric and adult pathology with a special interest in GI pathology. Since January 2010, Dr. Grynspan has been at CHEO and the University of Ottawa.
-------------------------------------------

Format: Digital Camera

Go to top

This course will review a number of recently described entities as well as older entities on which we are beginning to gain more insight. Where applicable, immunohistochemical and/or molecular methods used is diagnosis and reporting will be discussed.

Among the topics for discussion are the spectrum of columnar cell lesions including flat epithelial atypia, lobular neoplasia and its differentiation from other introductal proliferations and apocrine lesions, ranging from benign proliferations to invasive apocrine carcinoma with discussion of its molecular aspects.

Encapsulated papillary carcinoma, the recently proposed term for an old lesion will be discussed including its differential diagnosis and its clinical significance. An overview will be given on a new approach to breast cancer classification, which includes luminal, HER2 and basal phenotypes. While originally based on molecular profiling, emphasis will be placed on classification according to immunohistochemical profile.

Recent evidence suggests that tumour morphology and immunophenotype can predict for an underlying BRCA germline mutation. The role of the pathologist is recognizing potential carriers and the clinical significance of this will be presented. The growing appreciation of the need for using standardized testing methods for ER, PR and HER2 will be subject of the final session.

Emphasis will be placed on diagnosis and differential diagnosis as well as on the clinical significance and management implications for the patient. A case-orientated approach will form the basis for each topic. Pre-registrants will receive for review a CD with case histories and images prior to the course. A syllabus will be distributed following the course.

The presentations will be aimed at a level appropriate for general surgical pathologists and will provide the participants with the opportunity to address specific questions following each presentation.

Objectives:

• To recognize recently described entities and understand their clinical significance;
• To address new issues as they apply to well-known lesions;
• To review the application of immunohistochemistry and molecular methods used in diagnosis and as prognostic/predictive markers.

Click here: Dr. Anna Marie Mulligan biography

Dr. Anna Marie Mulligan
Dr. Anna Marie Mulligan obtained her medical degree from University College Dublin, following which she trained as an anatomic pathologist, becoming a Member and subsequently a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists, UK in 2003. In 2004, she began her fellowship in Breast Pathology at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto and was appointed as a staff pathologist at St. Michael’s Hospital in 2007 and Assistant Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto. She currently works at St. Michael’s Hospital, in the Department of Laboratory Medicine as a pathologist, sub-specializing in diseases of the breast. She is active in research and education, with research interests including hereditary breast cancer, prognostic tumour markers, and pre-malignant lesions of the breast. She has written a number of book chapters and is currently co-editing a textbook from the popular “Foundations in Pathology” series.
-------------------------------------------

Format: Didactic

Go to top

This case-based workshop will present an approach to investigating sudden death. The workshop will concentrate on 3 main areas.
1. Sudden death in patients with underlying diseases.
2. Use of histology in criminally suspicious deaths.
3. Non-atherosclerotic cardiovascular pathology in sudden death.
The workshop is designed for both forensic pathologists as well as hospital pathologists whose practice includes autopsies. Using cases, the audience will be shown how specialized dissections, histology and ancillary testing can be used to assist the pathologist in working up a case and ultimately in establishing a cause of death.

Objectives:

• Develop an overall practical approach for investigating sudden death;
• Understand how specialized dissection, histology and ancillary testing can be used to assist the pathologist in establishing a cause of death;
• Develop a diagnostic approach to non-atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases seen in sudden death.

Format: Digital Camera

Go to top

This course will provide a case based practical approach to the diagnosis of common and less common renal tumors. This diverse group of tumors can be challenging to classify due to their overlapping morphologic features. The use of immunohistochemical markers as ancillary tools to accurately diagnose these tumors will be included. Differential diagnoses will be considered. Clinical issues such as associated syndromes and familial renal cell carcinoma will be discussed and ancillary techniques for further investigation will be described. Staging will be presented in the context of the importance of the gross appearance and sampling of the surgical specimen. The surgical pathology synoptic reporting of these tumors will be discussed with case based examples.

Objectives:

• To develop a systemic approach to the diagnosis of kidney tumors;
• To understand the role of immunohistochemistry in the classification and diagnosis of kidney tumors;
• To understand how to grossly dissect a kidney and take the necessary sections to provide accurate information for correct tumor staging;
• To use the CAP synoptic report accurately.

Format: Didactic

Go to top

Cancer is becoming the leading cause of death in Canada. More recently, the role of tumor markers in the clinic became very significant, not only for cancer diagnosis, but also extends, in the new era of personalized medicine, to guiding management plans by providing information about other aspects including cancer aggressiveness and response to treatment. We will discuss the spectrum of clinical utilities of tumor markers in the clinic and provide the audience with the most recent professional practice guidelines for the use of tumor markers in the clinic and their levels of evidence. We will also discuss the new approaches for molecular profiling for global tumor marker discovery. Finally, we will provide a detailed outline of the fast advancing field of using proteomics and metabolomics for biomarker discover. Enough time will be allocated for discussion with the audience.

Objectives:

• Understand the spectrum of applications of tumor markers and their effect on cancer patient management;
• Have an update of the current status of NACB recommendations for the use of tumor markers in the clinic, and the level of evidence for their development;
• Become aware of the new high throughput technologies for biomarker discovery through global analysis, with particular emphasis on proteomics and metabolomics.

Format: Didactic

Go to top

LC/MS has abandoned its roots as a tool solely for research and has grown into a significant presence in the clinical laboratory. We will review topics relevant to both the lab scientist as well as the lab manager, beginning with the development of a quantitative multi-analyte LC-MS/MS assay for serum steroids at a pediatric hospital. Next, we will explore the use of LC/MS-based lysosomal enzyme assays to evaluate Sandhoff's and Tay-Sachs diseases. Finally, we will focus on the obstacles facing implementation such as construction of a convincing business case, hardware and IT issues in site preparation, and method validation

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Appreciate analytical and clinical aspects in the development of small molecule-based LC/MS assays;
• Describe the key features of successful LC/MS business case and implementation;
• Understand how to perform a method validation suitable for LC/MS.

Format: Didactic

Go to top