Harvard Advances in Cytology and Small Biopsies 2023

Overview

Harvard Advances in Cytology and Small Biopsies 2023 provides a comprehensive update on diagnostic pathology utilizing cytology and small biopsy specimens. This course addresses the evolving scope of cytopathology, including new specimen types and advances such as endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration. Emphasizing the role of the cytopathologist in combining microscopic criteria with ancillary testing—immunocytochemistry, biochemical testing, and genetic analysis—the course offers insights relevant to diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted therapy. Updates on automation and standardized terminology reporting are also included. A syllabus of the talks is provided electronically.

On-demand pathology education — accessible anytime, anywhere.

Agenda

The agenda below presents sessions originally delivered live and now available on-demand. All times are Eastern Time.

• Welcome and Introduction — Martha Bishop Pitman, MD
• HSIL and Its Mimics — Vanda Torous, MD
• Endocervical-AGCs and Worse — Vanda Torous, MD
• Endometrial Cells and Their Mimics — Jeffrey Mito, MD, PhD
• Questions — Jeffrey Mito, MD, PhD; Vanda Torous, MD
• Break
• Primary HPV Screening and Management of Abnormal Screening Results — Sarah Feldman, MD, MPH
• The Impact of Primary HPV Screening on the Cytology Laboratory — Jeffrey Mito, MD, PhD
• Questions — Jeffrey Mito, MD, PhD; Sarah Feldman, MD, MPH
• Lunch
• The Elusive Diagnosis of HSIL on the Anal Pap Test — Ivan Chebib, MD
• Clinical Management of Patients with Anal Dysplasia — Benjamin Davis, MD
• Questions — Ivan Chebib, MD; Benjamin Davis, MD
• Break
• Application of Practical Informatics to Cytology — Emilio Madrigal, DO
• Compliance with CMS Billing — Stephen Black-Schaffer, MD
• Questions — Stephen Black-Schaffer, MD; Emilio Madrigal, DO
• Break
• Challenging Cases and Lessons Learned – Virtual Microscopy 1 — Vanda Torous, MD; Caroline Hilburn, MD; Jeffrey Mito, MD, PhD
• Updates in Urine Cytology: Paris 2.0 — Eva Wojcik, MD
• Malignant Effusions: Primary versus Metastatic — Marina Vivero, MD
• Break
• Pulmonary Cytology: Workup of NSCLC on FNA and Small Biopsy — Paul VanderLaan, MD, PhD
• Molecular Testing in Cytology Specimens — Lynette Sholl, MD
• Questions — Paul VanderLaan, MD, PhD; Lynette Sholl, MD
• Lunch
• WHO Reporting Systems — Martha Bishop Pitman, MD
• Soft Tissue FNA and Small Biopsy – Pt 1 — Ivan Chebib, MD
• Soft Tissue FNA and Small Biopsy – Pt 2 — Vickie Jo, MD
• Questions — Ivan Chebib, MD; Vickie Jo, MD
• Break
• Lymph Node FNA — Amy Ly, MD
• Challenging Cases and Lessons Learned – Virtual Microscopy 2 — David Hwang, MD; Vickie Jo, MD; Sanhong Yu, MBBS, PhD
• The Milan System 2.0 — William Faquin, MD, PhD
• Unusual Head and Neck Tumors — Kristine Wong, MD
• HPV Testing of H&N Squamous Cell Carcinoma — William Faquin, MD, PhD
• Questions — William Faquin, MD, PhD; Kristine Wong, MD
• Break
• Updates to The Bethesda System For Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology — Paul VanderLaan, MD, PhD
• The Atypical Thyroid Aspirate — Edmund Cibas, MD
• Questions — Edmund Cibas, MD; Paul VanderLaan, MD, PhD
• Break for Lunch
• Molecular Testing of Thyroid FNAs — Michiya Nishino, MD, PhD
• Pancreatic Ductal Carcinoma — Lisa Zhang, MD
• Break
• Non-Ductal Neoplasms of the Pancreas — Lisa Zhang, MD
• Pancreatic Cysts — Martha Bishop Pitman, MD
• Questions — Martha Bishop Pitman, MD; Lisa Zhang, MD
• Challenges and Lessons Learned – Virtual Microscopy 3 — Kristine Wong, MD; Lisa Zhang, MD; Sarah Wu, MD, PhD; Marina Vivero, MD

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Recognize the full range of diagnostic approaches to cytological and small tissue samples from all body sites.
• Evaluate current and potential applications of automated screening, liquid-based preparation methods, flow cytometry, and molecular testing.
• Assess the impact of new technologies on cytology practice.
• Apply current standards for the evaluation and work-up of cytology and small tissue samples for diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted therapy.
• Summarize the new standardized terminology and reporting systems for gynecological, pancreaticobiliary, thyroid, salivary gland, and urinary cytological specimens.
• Identify diagnostic pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Speakers

• Martha Bishop Pitman, MD
• Vanda Torous, MD
• Jeffrey Mito, MD, PhD
• Sarah Feldman, MD, MPH
• Ivan Chebib, MD
• Benjamin Davis, MD
• Emilio Madrigal, DO
• Stephen Black-Schaffer, MD
• Caroline Hilburn, MD
• Eva Wojcik, MD
• Marina Vivero, MD
• Paul VanderLaan, MD, PhD
• Lynette Sholl, MD
• Vickie Jo, MD
• Amy Ly, MD
• David Hwang, MD
• Sanhong Yu, MBBS, PhD
• William Faquin, MD, PhD
• Kristine Wong, MD
• Edmund Cibas, MD
• Michiya Nishino, MD, PhD
• Lisa Zhang, MD
• Sarah Wu, MD, PhD

This course is delivered by faculty from the three major Harvard teaching hospitals: Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC).

Target Audience

• Specialty Physicians
• Primary Care Physicians
• Cytotechnologists

Why This Topic Matters

Harvard Advances in Cytology and Small Biopsies 2023 addresses the expanding role of cytopathologists in integrating advanced diagnostic techniques with traditional cytology and small biopsy specimens. The course content strengthens expertise in applying ancillary testing and standardized reporting, critical for accurate diagnosis and patient management in pathology.

This offering from MedHub Central reflects current developments in cytopathology, enhancing professional knowledge and clinical practice within pathology and related specialties. It supports the ongoing education needed to navigate complex diagnostic challenges effectively.