There have been huge advances in our understanding of soft tissue tumors since the last USCAP Long Course on this topic in 1995 - including clinicopathologic characterization of many new entities, major revisions of the classification, introduction of many new immunohistochemical reagents of daily utility and, most especially, recognition of the molecular genetic basis of many of these lesions, bringing not only pathogenetic insights but also a range of valuable new diagnostic tools. This year's lecture topics seek to address this broad spectrum of new information, focusing on areas of direct practical relevance to general surgical pathologists. The topics to be discussed and the learning objectives for each lecture are listed below.

Introduction Christopher D.M. Fletcher, MD, FRCPath, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA Cristina R. Antonescu, MD, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors - What Do We Know Now? Christopher L. Corless, MD, PhD, Knight Diagnostic Laboratories, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Describe the key morphologic and immunohistochemical features of GISTs. Understand the molecular subclassification of GISTs and its relevance to the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapies. Identify mechanisms of resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapies.

Smooth Muscle Tumors of Soft Tissue and Non-Uterine Viscera - Biology and Prognosis Markku M. Miettinen, MD, National Cancer Institute/National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Describe the histologic features of peripheral and visceral, non-uterine smooth muscle tumors. Describe the immunophenotype of smooth muscle tumors. Describe the differential diagnosis of smooth muscle tumors.

Malignant Vascular Tumors - An Update Cristina R. Antonescu, MD, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Provide an update on the latest classification of malignant vascular tumors and the recent genetic discoveries. Discuss the differential diagnosis of epithelioid vascular neoplasms and the use of molecular markers in challenging cases. Describe the heterogeneity of angiosarcomas' morphologic and genetic spectrum, based on their anatomic location and prior history of radiation.

An Approach To Pleomorphic Sarcomas: Can We Subclassify and Does It Even Matter? John R. Goldblum, MD, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, OH Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Describe the differential diagnosis of a pleomorphic ("MFH-like") malignant neoplasm. Discuss the clinical significance of distinguishing among these pleomorphic sarcomas. To discuss the utility of ancillary techniques in the workup of a pleomorphic malignant neoplasm, including distinguishing among the various pleomorphic sarcomas.

Novel Uses of Immunohistochemistry in the Diagnosis and Classification of Soft Tissue Tumors Jason L. Hornick, MD, PhD, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Discuss the limitations of conventional diagnostic markers for soft tissue tumors. Describe the recently developed immunohistochemical markers for soft tissue tumors. Explain the application of novel markers in differential diagnosis of soft tissue tumors.

The Differential Diagnosis of Epithelioid Soft Tissue Tumors Andrew L. Folpe, MD, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Generate a comprehensive differential diagnosis for epithelioid soft tissue tumors, including both common and less-common entities. Apply appropriate ancillary immunohistochemical and molecular tests for this differential diagnosis. Appreciate the impact of advances in molecular pathology to the correct classification of epithelioid soft tissue tumors.

The Role of Cytogenetics and Molecular Diagnostics in the Diagnosis of Soft Tissue Tumors Julia A. Bridge, MD, FACMG, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Describe the role of molecular markers in the diagnostic classification and management of soft tissue tumors. Recognize the advantages and limitations of molecular approaches commonly used in the classification of mesenchymal neoplasms. Apply clinicohistopathologic and molecular criteria for selecting appropriate and cost-effective testing for the workup of soft tissue tumors.

Recently Characterized Soft Tissue Tumors Which Bring Biologic Insight Christopher D.M. Fletcher, MD, FRCPath, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Recognize a variety of recently characterized soft tissue tumors. Summarize the role of cytogenetics and molecular genetics in helping to define 'entities' and in influencing classification schemes. Describe how accurate diagnosis of newer 'entities' may influence treatment selection.

Concluding Remarks Christopher D.M. Fletcher, MD, FRCPath, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA Cristina R. Antonescu, MD, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY