Course Description
Cytology has grown to play a major role in tumor diagnosis. Surgical pathologists who may have had limited or no specialized training in cytology, are increasingly asked to render more definitive diagnoses based on small cytological samples, and/or provide immediate interpretations for radiology-guided FNA's.

This special course emphasizes the essentials and basics of diagnostic cytology, and is intended for surgical pathologists who wish to be introduced or reintroduced to the discipline of cytology, or those who are interested in a “refresher” in general basic cytology. This course is also ideal for residents in training, and those preparing for boards or in-service exams. The faculty is made up of experts in the field, who will cover the most commonly encountered specimen types, including gynecologic, exfoliative, and FNA cytology. They will present detailed diagnostic criteria, adequacy requirements, differential diagnosis, and histopathologic correlation. Potential pitfalls, as well as the value of ancillary studies, including immunohistochemistry and molecular testing, will be discussed when relevant. There will be an ample opportunity for questions and audience participation. This course may also serve as an introduction to other cytology workshops or courses, which often tend to be of an advanced level, and more geared towards pathologists with strong cytology background.

The goal of this course is for the participants to become less intimidated by cytologic samples, and more confidently diagnose commonly encountered lesions, while still recognizing potential limitations and pitfalls. All registrants will receive a detailed text syllabus, in addition to a CD containing the PowerPoint lectures and images.

Objectives of the Course: Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

• Review essentials and basics of diagnostic cytology, including gynecologic, exfoliative, and FAN cytology.
  
  
• Review detailed diagnostic criteria, adequacy requirements, and histologic correlation for different organ systems and specimen types, including normal cytology and more commonly encountered lesions.
  
  
• Recognize potential limitations, common pitfalls and differential diagnostic considerations.
  
  
• Appreciate the value of ancillary studies, including immunohistochemistry and molecular testing in the diagnostic workup.

Introduction Tarik M. Elsheikh, M.D., Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH

Fundamentals of Cytology Tarik M. Elsheikh, M.D., Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Review various cell types commonly encountered in cytologic specimens. Review general cytologic features of benign tumors, especially nuclear features. Review diagnostic cytologic features of malignancy, including architecture and most importantly nuclear changes. Discuss cytology of common specific malignancies such as squamous, adeno, small cell, and undifferentiated carcinoma. Recognize common pitfalls and mimickers of malignancy, including reactive/inflammatory and degenerative changes.

Cervical Cytology Edmund S. Cibas, M.D., Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Describe the role of cervical cytology in screening for cervical cancer and its precursors. Restate common terminology for reporting Pap test results. Identify the criteria for judging specimen adequacy. Recognize the commonly encountered infectious organisms. Recognize squamous and glandular lesions on a Pap test and their histologic correlates.

Effusion Cytology Jan F. Silverman, M.D., Allegheny General Hospital and Temple University School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Outline a pattern recognition approach for effusion cytology diagnosis. Discuss the appropriate use of ancillary studies in the work up of problematic effusion cytology. Describe the value of cytologic and clinical correlation including the importance of age, gender, and site of the effusion for correct diagnosis.

Urine Cytology 101 Eva M. Wojcik, M.D., Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Present cellular and non-cellular components of normal urine specimens. Recognize the pitfalls and limitations of routine urine cytology. Explain the limitation of cytology/histology correlation.

Basic Thyroid Cytomorphology Zubair W. Baloch, M.D., Ph.D., Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Discuss and illustrate the basic concepts in thyroid cytomorphology. Generate a cytologic differential diagnosis with histologic correlation of commonly encountered thyroid lesions. Recognize the overlapping architectural and cytologic features of benign and malignant thyroid lesions.

Basics in Lymph Node Cytopathology Paul E. Wakely, Jr., M.D., The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Recognize the cytomorphology of the benign lymph node and the limitations, advantages, and adequacy of this technique. Differentiate among the various infectious and other non-neoplastic conditions of an enlarged lymph node. Recognize and differentiate the FNA cytopathology of various lymphoproliferative malignancies according to the most recent WHO classification. Define the application of ancillary techniques to the cytopathologic diagnosis of malignant lymphoma. Identify cytopathologic imitators of malignant lymphoma and various non-lymphoid lesions metastatic to lymph nodes.

Respiratory Cytopathology Celeste N. Powers, M.D., Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond, VA Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Review the basic cytomorphologic criteria for common infectious processes and neoplasms amenable to cytodiagnosis. Review the use of the Diff Quik and other special stains in the diagnosis of infectious agents. Discuss the pitfalls and mimics associated with primary lung malignancies. Review the utility of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis and subclassification of non small cell lung carcinoma.

FNA Biopsy of Liver Richard M. DeMay, M.D., The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Learn normal cytology of the liver. Learn key diagnostic features of benign and malignant liver lesions. Learn to distinguish hepatocellular carcinoma from metastatic carcin.

Basic Principles of Pancreatic Cytology Martha Bishop Pitman, M.D., Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Recognize normal pancreatic acinar and ductal cells. Distinguish gastrointestinal contamination from the stomach and duodenum from lesional epithelium. Classify the criteria for the common tumors of the pancreas. Discuss the benefits and limitations of ancillary testing in diagnosis.

Question and Answer Session