Due to advances in molecular diagnostic techniques and different therapeutic regimens, the practice of breast pathology has changed significantly in recent years. Pathologists are required to not only provide histologic diagnosis (often after pre-operative therapy) but also evaluate prognostic and predictive markers to determine the most appropriate individualized therapeutic options for patients with breast cancer. This practically oriented course will focus on the most diagnostically and clinically challenging aspects of breast carcinoma and is designed for both the general surgical pathologist and pathologist in training.

This course will use a case based approach to discuss practical aspects of diagnosing breast pathology. While focusing on morphology, the course will integrate recent molecular developments that aid in diagnosing and treating patients with breast cancer.

Specific items to be addressed include specimen handling and tumor reporting after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, issues associated with assessing specimens of patients with hereditary breast cancer, high-risk borderline lesions of the breast and the challenges associated with diagnosing lobular carcinoma. Once completing the course, participants will gain a better understanding of the role and limitations of molecular diagnostic tests in clinical management of breast cancer and will gain the skills to authoritatively discuss the strength and weaknesses of current and novel prognostic and predictive markers.

Virtual slides and still images along with histories will be posted on the USCAP website for review by pre-registrants prior to the meeting. A comprehensive syllabus reviewing diagnostic features, differential diagnosis and clinical relevance of entities will be distributed at the meeting. All course registrants will also receive access after the meeting to the PowerPoint presentation presented during the course on the USCAP website.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: Accurately apply the molecular knowledge and diagnostic acumen presented to appropriately diagnose challenging breast pathology cases and guide clinical decision making.

(NEW COURSE) This course may be used for CME credits or SAM credits.