New programs next year in GYN, Non-GYN cytopathology from CAP
by Barbara Blond, MBA, MT(ASCP) in CAP Today
New proficiency test and education combination programs will feature glass-slide proficiency testing with educational online whole-slide images using DigitalScope technology. These are available for SurePath (PTGDK, APTGDK), Liquid L (PTGDL, APTGDL), and ThinPrep (PTGDM, APTGDM) methods.
There are advantages to ordering the PTGD series. The online education program uses an interactive approach to morphology, pinpointing important features on the imaged slides, and case commentary provided by members of the Cytopathology Committee. The online program features a laboratory form to be used for roundtable discussions, practice, and demonstrations. The program can be accessed at any time, and multiple individuals within each laboratory can participate simultaneously.
The online portion of the education program mimics laboratory work-flow. Primary screeners can preview and mark whole-slide images and provide interpretations for the secondary screener. The secondary screener can choose to look at an unmarked slide. After submitting interpretations by the due date, each screener will receive the intended responses online. The online cases will be accessible for two years. International laboratories will benefit from lower delivery costs and customs fees. The online education program may also be ordered as a stand-alone product (PED/ APED). The glass-slide proficiency test portion of the program will remain unchanged.
In nongynecologic cytopathology, the Touch Imprint/Crush Preparation (TICP/TICP1) Program will feature neoplastic and non-neoplastic cases typical of the pediatric age group. Each case will feature touch imprint/crush preparation and corresponding histologic section whole-slide images, and appropriate static images. The cases may also include images and the results of contributory ancillary studies, such as special and immunohistochemical stains, FISH, molecular testing, flow cytometry, and electron microscopy. Imaging studies will be included when appropriate.
Updates are being made to the terminology used in the nongynecologic cytopathology and fine-needle aspiration programs. Cases will use terminology for thyroid cases as described in the Bethesda System for reporting thyroid cytopathology.1 Pulmonary case interpretations will be updated to reflect current diagnostic terminology as found in the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer/ American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society international multidisciplinary classification of lung adenocarcinoma.2
These new choices in gynecologic and nongyn cytopathology are listed in the anatomic pathology section of the 2014 CAP program catalog. If you have questions about the cytopathology programs in the 2014 catalog, call the CAP contact center at 800-323-4040 option 1.
Barbara Blond is technical manager, CAP Surveys, Northfield, Ill.
References
1. Cibas ES, Ali SZ. The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology. New York, NY: Springer; 2009.
2. Travis WD, Brambilla E, Noguchi M, et al. International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer/Ameri can Thoracic Society/European Respir atory Society: international multidisciplinary classification of lung adenocarcinoma: executive summary. Proc Am Thorac Soc. 2011; 8(5):381–385.
Samples of static images that accompany the Touch Imprint/Crush Prep cases.
Touch Imprint / Crush Prep Program (TICP-A case 5) http://tinyurl.com/lz5789x Use the link or QR code to see and manipulate a touch imprint/crush prep slide that uses DigitalScope technology (diagnosis: chordoma).
Pap Education Program (2013 PEDM-A case 4) http://tinyurl.com/lowmmjo Use the link or QR code to see and manipulate the annotated Pap slide with DigitalScope technology and read the discussion (interpretation: LSIL).
