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 re-introduced 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, and recognize potential limitations and pitfalls. All registrants will receive a detailed text syllabus, in addition to 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,MD, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH

Cervical Cytology Fadi Abdul-Karim, MD, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Review the Bethesda System 2001: Adequacy and reporting of Pap test results. Recognize the commonly encountered infectious organisms, reactive changes, and contaminants. Recognize the cytologic criteria for squamous and glandular cell abnormalities, main mimickers and histopathologic correlates. Describe the utility of HPV testing in and ASCCP patient management guidelines.

Urine Cytology 101 Eva M. Wojcik, MD, 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.

Effusion Cytology: A Practical Approach Walid Khalbuss, MD, PhD, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside, Pittsburgh, PA Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Differentiate reactive mesothelial cells from neoplastic cells in serous effusion specimens. Analyze and illustrate common potential diagnostic pitfalls, with a focus on a practical approach to making accurate diagnoses in fluid cytology. Learn the appropriate use of ancillary studies including immunocytochemistry and other ancillary studies in the diagnostic workup of challenging cases in fluid cytology.

Thyroid Cytology: Another Look Ritu Nayar, MD, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 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.

Liver FNA – Basics and Beyond Gladwyn Leiman, MD, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Identify all components of benign and reactive liver aspirates. Discuss indications and contra-indications to FNA. Diagnose common benign liver findings. Identify the features of common liver lesions, benign, and malignant. Recognize important less common liver tumors. Apply appropriate immunochemistry for diagnosis.

Basic Principles of Pancreatic Aspiration Cytology Barbara Ann Centeno, MD, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Recognize normal pancreatic acinar and ductal cells and contaminants from the stomach and duodenum, and distinguish these from lesional tissue. Recognize ductal adenocarcinoma and its variants and distinguish it from benign and reactive processes. Classify the criteria for the common nonductal neoplasms of the pancreas. Implement a practical approach to the cytological assessment of pancreatic cysts.

Lymph Node Cytopathology: A Practical Architectural Pattern Approach Matthew Zarka, MD, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Recognize the cytologic features of a benign lymph node including infectious and reactive conditions. Recognize and subclassify lymphoproliferative disorders, utilizing cytomorphologic patterns and ancillary techniques. Know the architectural patterns of metastatic lesions and common mimickers of lymphoproliferative disorders.

Respiratory Cytopathology Michael Henry, MD, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Recognize the types of respiratory cytology specimens and their normal constituents. Review the basic cytomorphologic criteria for common infectious processes and neoplasms seen in respiratory specimens. 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.

Ancillary Testing, IHC and Molecular Fernando Schmitt, MD, Phd, FIAC, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal Upon completion of this presentation, participants should be able to: Review the main principles and applications of ancillary techniques on cytological material. Recognize the advantages and disadvantages of the different pre-analytical variables for the application of ancillary techniques on cytology. Recognize the importance of immunocytochemistry and molecular techniques as adjuncts to morphology to achieve a precise diagnosis. Recognize the importance of immunocytochemistry and molecular techniques as adjuncts to morphology to study therapeutic targets. Discuss the different applications of ancillary techniques in primary and metastatic tumors sampled by fine-needle aspiration cytology.

Question and Answer Session