Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine最新文献

Context.—: Pathology resident education has a steep learning curve. Specimen sampling (grossing) is a procedural task, and procedural fields add video materials to their curricula to familiarize trainees with procedure(s), reduce errors, and improve patient care. Our team applied this strategy to develop original in-house sampling videos for our program.

Objectives.—: To evaluate the effect of in-house sampling videos on resident sampling confidence.

Design.—: Sampling videos covering all major organ systems (AMOS) were created for our postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) trainees. Videos were hosted on a Northwestern cloud server for on-demand access. Trainees completed 3 surveys (0, 6, 12 months) evaluating sampling confidence comparing those who used in-house videos as an educational supplement with those who did not use the videos.

Results.—: Sampling confidence significantly improved at 6 and 12 months (P < .001) across AMOS and PGY levels. When compared with those who did not use in-house sampling videos, trainees who supplemented their education with in-house sampling videos had significantly higher confidence ratings across AMOS and PGY levels at the start of the study (P < .001) and at 6 months (P = .004). Sampling confidence significantly improved for PGY1 trainees at 6 and 12 months (P < .001); for PGY2 and PGY3 trainees, confidence significantly improved at 6 months (P < .001). When evaluated by organ-specific analyses, sampling and teaching confidence improved across all organ systems and, except for the gastrointestinal system, reached significance at 12 months for all PGY levels.

Conclusions.—: Sampling videos, when used as a supplement to the existing curriculum, significantly improved trainee confidence.

Context.—: Therapy targeted at human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2; also known as ERBB2) was used initially for breast and gastroesophageal carcinoma and has more recently been adopted for endometrial serous carcinoma (ESC) and colorectal carcinoma (CRC). There is evidence that predictive biomarker testing algorithms for HER2 must be tumor type specific and that an algorithm validated for one tumor type cannot be applied to another.

Objective.—: To describe current laboratory practices for HER2 assessment in ESC and CRC.

Design.—: We surveyed laboratories participating in the 2021 College of American Pathologists (CAP) HER2 immunohistochemistry proficiency testing program.

Results.—: The survey was distributed to 1548 laboratories and returned by 1195, of which 83.5% (998) were in the United States. For ESC, 24.0% (287) of laboratories reported performing in-house testing for HER2 by immunohistochemical staining and/or in situ hybridization; of these, 44.3% (127) performed it reflexively on all cases of ESC. The most common criterion for evaluating HER2 was the American Society of Clinical Oncology/CAP 2018 guideline for breast carcinoma (69.0%; 194 of 281), whereas only 16.0% (45) of laboratories used guidelines specific to ESC. For CRC, 20.2% (239 of 1185) of laboratories performed in-house HER2 testing, and 82.0% of these (196) did the test only at the clinician's request. A plurality (49.4%; 115 of 233) used gastroesophageal cancer guidelines when scoring CRC, 30.0% (70) used the CRC scoring system from the HERACLES trial, and 16.3% (38) used the American Society of Clinical Oncology/CAP 2018 guideline for breast carcinoma.

Conclusions.—: Laboratories vary in their approach to HER2 testing in ESC and CRC. Most laboratories did not report using tumor type-specific recommendations for HER2 interpretation. The lack of standardization could present a challenge to evidence-based practice when considering targeted therapy for these diseases.

Context.—: Prostate cancer diagnosis rests on accurate assessment of tissue by a pathologist. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) to digitized whole slide images (WSIs) can aid pathologists in cancer diagnosis, but robust, diverse evidence in a simulated clinical setting is lacking.

Objective.—: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of pathologists reading WSIs of prostatic biopsy specimens with and without AI assistance.

Design.—: Eighteen pathologists, 2 of whom were genitourinary subspecialists, evaluated 610 prostate needle core biopsy WSIs prepared at 218 institutions, with the option for deferral. Two evaluations were performed sequentially for each WSI: initially without assistance, and immediately thereafter aided by Paige Prostate (PaPr), a deep learning-based system that provides a WSI-level binary classification of suspicious for cancer or benign and pinpoints the location that has the greatest probability of harboring cancer on suspicious WSIs. Pathologists' changes in sensitivity and specificity between the assisted and unassisted modalities were assessed, together with the impact of PaPr output on the assisted reads.

Results.—: Using PaPr, pathologists improved their sensitivity and specificity across all histologic grades and tumor sizes. Accuracy gains on both benign and cancerous WSIs could be attributed to PaPr, which correctly classified 100% of the WSIs showing corrected diagnoses in the PaPr-assisted phase.

Conclusions.—: This study demonstrates the effectiveness and safety of an AI tool for pathologists in simulated diagnostic practice, bridging the gap between computational pathology research and its clinical application, and resulted in the first US Food and Drug Administration authorization of an AI system in pathology.

Context.—: The World Health Organization Classification of Tumours: Female Genital Tract Tumors, 5th edition, published in September 2020, comes 6 years after the 4th edition, and reflects the monumental leaps made in knowledge about the biology of gynecological tumors. Major changes include revised criteria for the assignment of the site of origin of ovarian and fallopian tube tumors, a revision in the classification of squamous and glandular lesions of the lower genital tract based on human papillomavirus association, and an entire chapter devoted to genetic tumor syndromes. This article highlights the changes in the 5th edition relative to the 4th edition, with a focus on areas of value to routine clinical practice.

Objective.—: To provide a comprehensive update on the World Health Organization classification of gynecological tumors, highlighting in particular updated diagnostic criteria and terminology.

Data sources.—: The 4th and 5th editions of the World Health Organization Classification of Tumours.

Conclusions.—: The World Health Organization has made several changes in the 5th edition of the update on female genital tumors. Awareness of the changes is needed for pathologists' translation into contemporary practice.

Context.—: Low-risk (Gleason score 3 + 3 = 6) and intermediate-risk (Gleason score 3 + 4 = 7) prostate carcinoma cases diagnosed on needle biopsies are frequently referred for gene expression studies such as Oncotype DX to help validate the risk. Risk assessment helps in determining prognosis and therapeutic decision making.

Objective.—: To determine if addition of molecular testing is necessary, by evaluating its correlation with risk stratification provided by pathology report (Gleason score, Grade Group, proportion of positive cores) and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level.

Design.—: Our institutional database was searched for cases that had Oncotype DX testing after prostate biopsy. The final risk category determined by molecular testing was compared to the risk stratification predicted by the pathology report and serum PSA levels. Cases were classified as concordant if they fell under the same National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk and recommended initial therapy group. Follow-up information on discordant cases was obtained and used to determine if risk stratification by molecular testing was superior to that obtained from the clinicopathologic data.

Results.—: A total of 4967 prostate biopsies (2015-2020) were screened. Of these, 131 prostate carcinoma cases (2.6%) had Oncotype DX testing and 111 of 131 cases (85%) had follow-up information. There was risk stratification concordance in 93 of 111 cases (84%). All 18 of 111 cases (16%) that were discordant had a follow-up course that matched the risk predicted by pathology data and serum PSA.

Conclusions.—: Risk stratification provided by information in the pathology report on routine biopsy assessment coupled with the serum PSA level is equivalent to that obtained by Oncotype DX testing.

Context.—: Inflammatory lesions of the breast are rare but not infrequently pose problems both clinically and morphologically, particularly on needle core biopsies. These lesions range from acute inflammatory conditions to chronic lymphoplasmacytic and lymphohistiocytic to granulomatous inflammatory diseases.

Objective.—: To provide a comprehensive overview of inflammatory lesions of the breast, with etiopathogenesis and clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features as well as differential diagnostic considerations, clinical management, and prognosis.

Data sources.—: The existing literature in the English language, including original research articles and review articles describing inflammatory lesions of the breast.

Conclusions.—: Inflammatory lesions of the breast are characterized by a wide variety of clinical, radiologic, and morphologic features. The histopathologic differential diagnosis often includes a neoplastic process requiring ancillary studies and correlation with clinical and radiologic findings. Although most specimens display nonspecific findings precluding a definitive pathologic diagnosis, pathologists have a unique opportunity to play a crucial role in identifying key histologic features suggestive of certain entities, such as cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis, immunoglobulin (Ig) G4 mastitis, or squamous metaplasia of lactiferous ducts, in the right clinical and radiologic context, and thereby guiding optimal and timely clinical management. The information presented herein will be helpful to practicing anatomic pathologists and pathology trainees in becoming more familiar with specific morphologic features and overcoming differential diagnostic challenges related to pathology reporting of inflammatory lesions of the breast.

Context.—: In the clinical practice of breast pathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) of different markers is widely used for the diagnosis and classification of breast lesions.

Objective.—: To provide an overview of currently used and recently identified IHC stains that have been implemented in the field of diagnostic breast pathology.

Data sources.—: Data were obtained from literature review and clinical experience of the authors as breast pathologists.

Conclusions.—: In the current review, we summarize the common uses of IHC stains for diagnosing different types of breast lesions, especially invasive and noninvasive breast lesions, and benign and malignant spindle cell lesions. In addition, the cutting-edge knowledge of diagnostic carcinoma markers will lead us to further understand the different types of breast carcinoma and differentiate breast carcinomas from other carcinomas of similar morphology. Knowing the strengths and limitations of these markers is essential to the clinical practice of breast pathology.

Context: The World Health Organization classification of tumors of the breast recognizes several special type carcinomas and benign lesions with features comparable to those of salivary gland tumors.

Objective: To discuss the histologic, immunophenotypic, molecular, and clinical features of salivary gland-like carcinomas of the breast. These breast tumors are often negative for hormone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), that is, triple-negative, but they generally have a much better prognosis than triple-negative breast carcinomas of no special type. We compare the immunophenotypic, molecular, and clinical features of these breast tumors with their salivary gland counterparts, highlighting similarities and differences. We also discuss benign salivary gland-like breast tumors. Finally, we highlight recent developments in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of these breast tumors and novel ancillary studies that can be used to support their diagnosis.

Data sources: A literature review was conducted, and papers were selected for further analysis and discussion by the authors of this review based on their novelty, applicability, and impact in the field.

Conclusions: Breast tumors that exhibit morphologic overlap with salivary gland tumors have been recognized by pathologists for decades, but the similarities and differences in their molecular pathogenesis have not been understood until more recently. These developments have led to novel diagnostic tools and further knowledge of these rare breast lesions.

Context.—: Eosinophilic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (EGIDs), eosinophilic gastritis (EoG), and eosinophilic duodenitis (EoD) are rarely suspected clinically and infrequently detected by pathologists.

Objective.—: To determine whether histories of allergic or eosinophilic disorders and requests to rule out EoG and EoD affect pathologists' awareness of eosinophils in gastrointestinal biopsies.

Design.—: Thirty-one community-based pathologists were given 16 sets of biopsies from gastric and duodenal mucosa with elevated eosinophils, Helicobacter pylori gastritis, atrophic gastritis, normal stomach and duodenum, lymphocytosis, and celiac disease. Participants were assigned to 3 groups: group A did not receive histories of allergic or eosinophilic conditions; group B received similar histories plus a clue of possible allergic or eosinophilic conditions; and group C received the same histories as B and was asked to rule out EoG/EoD. A list of gastric and duodenal diagnoses and a space for comments were provided. Results were analyzed descriptively.

Results.—: Pathologists correctly diagnosed most noneosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders, indicating competence in gastrointestinal pathology. With respect to EoG and EoD, pathologists in group C performed significantly better that those in groups A and B. The combined odds ratio with 95% CI was 12.34 (2.87-53.04), P < .001, for A versus C and 4.02 (1.60-10.09), P < .02, for B versus C.

Conclusions.—: Most pathologists neither reported gastric/duodenal eosinophilia nor diagnosed EoG/EoD, even when provided histories of eosinophilic disorders. Requests to rule out EoG/EoD resulted in only 4 of 11 participants evaluating and counting eosinophils in some cases. Simple evidence-based histopathologic criteria are needed before pathologists can be expected to consider and diagnose EGIDs.

Context.—: Increasing implementation of whole slide imaging together with digital workflow and advances in computing capacity enable the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in pathology, including breast pathology. Breast pathologists often face a significant workload, with diagnosis complexity, tedious repetitive tasks, and semiquantitative evaluation of biomarkers. Recent advances in developing AI algorithms have provided promising approaches to meet the demand in breast pathology.

Objective.—: To provide an updated review of AI in breast pathology. We examined the success and challenges of current and potential AI applications in diagnosing and grading breast carcinomas and other pathologic changes, detecting lymph node metastasis, quantifying breast cancer biomarkers, predicting prognosis and therapy response, and predicting potential molecular changes.

Data sources.—: We obtained data and information by searching and reviewing literature on AI in breast pathology from PubMed and based our own experience.

Conclusions.—: With the increasing application in breast pathology, AI not only assists in pathology diagnosis to improve accuracy and reduce pathologists' workload, but also provides new information in predicting prognosis and therapy response.