Harvard Advances In Cytology And Small Biopsies 2025

Course Dates: June 9-11, 2025

The scope of cytopathology practice has grown increasingly complex in recent years with, for example, exposure to specimen types not previously sampled using cytologic methods, and the introduction of new techniques such as endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration. Larger needles used in these procedures are procuring small tissue biopsies that provide material for advanced ancillary studies that are now under the purview of the diagnostic cytopathologist. “Advances in Cytology and Small Biopsies” will provide pathologists and cytologists with a comprehensive overview of and update on diagnostic pathology utilizing a combination of cytology and small biopsy specimens. The emphasis will be on the role of the cytopathologist as a multifaceted pathologist combining light microscopic criteria with ancillary testing, including immunocytochemistry, biochemical testing, and genetic analysis as they apply to diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted therapy. Advances in automation and standardized terminology reporting will also be presented. The lecture format of our course is supplemented by question and answer sessions. The session of each day will be an educational case-based presentation on “mistakes made and lessons learned” focusing on quality assurance issues related to all aspects of cytopathology. A syllabus of the talks will be provided in an electronic format.

The last edition of the course in 2023 was a significant update to the 30-year history of this course with HMS, including adding an emphasis on small tissue samples. With the widespread adoption of virtual meetings, we are taking this opportunity to continue virtual distribution format. The advantage of the livestream format will allow us to greatly expand the registration capacity. We will be using faculty from the three major Harvard teaching hospitals – Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Mass General Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and bring in a world renowned expert – Dr. Christopher VandenBussche – to discuss updates in urinary cytopathology. We will focus on the role of the cytopathologist in diagnosis using minimally invasive techniques and presenting updates on their role in utilizing ancillary testing for diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted therapy for optimal patient care.

Who Should Attend

• Specialty Physicians
• Primary Care Physicians
• Cytologists

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.

+ Topics:

Agenda.pdf
June 9 Automation and Artificial Intelligence in Cytology Emilio Madrigal, DO.mp4
June 9 Automation and Artificial Intelligence in Cytology Emilio Madrigal, DO.pdf
June 9 Challenges and Lessons Learned – Virtual Microscopy 1 Sarah Wu, MD, PhD; Jeffrey Mito, MD, PhD; Melanie Kwan, MD.mp4
June 9 Challenges and Lessons Learned – Virtual Microscopy 1 Sarah Wu, MD, PhD; Jeffrey Mito, MD, PhD; Melanie Kwan, MD.pdf
June 9 Clinical Management of Patients with Anal Dysplasia Benjamin Davis, MD.mp4
June 9 Clinical Management of Patients with Anal Dysplasia Benjamin Davis, MD.pdf
June 9 Endocervical-AGCs and Worse Vanda Torous, MD.mp4
June 9 Endocervical-AGCs and Worse Vanda Torous, MD.pdf
June 9 Endometrial Cells and Their Mimics Jeffrey Mito, MD, PhD.mp4
June 9 Endometrial Cells and Their Mimics Jeffrey Mito, MD, PhD.pdf
June 9 HSIL and Its Mimics Vanda Torous, MD.mp4
June 9 HSIL and Its Mimics Vanda Torous, MD.pdf
June 9 Integrating Primary HPV Screening into the Cytology Laboratory Jeffrey Mito, MD, PhD.mp4
June 9 Integrating Primary HPV Screening into the Cytology Laboratory Jeffrey Mito, MD, PhD.pdf
June 9 Lymph Node FNA Amy Ly, MD.mp4
June 9 Lymph Node FNA Amy Ly, MD.pdf
June 9 Primary HPV Screening and Management of Abnormal Screening Results Stephanie Alimena, MD.mp4
June 9 Primary HPV Screening and Management of Abnormal Screening Results Stephanie Alimena, MD.pdf
June 9 Questions 1 Jeffrey Mito, MD, PhD; Vanda Torous, MD.mp4
June 9 Questions 2 Jeffrey Mito, MD, PhD; Stephanie Alimena, MD.mp4
June 9 Questions 3 Benjamin Davis, MD; Hannah Chen, MD, PhD.mp4
June 9 Questions 4 Amy Ly, MD; Emilio Madrigal, DO.mp4
June 9 Updates in Anal Cytology Hannah Chen, MD, PhD.mp4
June 9 Updates in Anal Cytology Hannah Chen, MD, PhD.pdf
June 10 Challenges and Lessons Learned – Virtual Microscopy 2 Amy Ly, MD; Ruhani Sardana, MD.mp4
June 10 Challenges and Lessons Learned – Virtual Microscopy 2 Amy Ly, MD; Ruhani Sardana, MD; Mohammad Al-Attar, MD.pdf
June 10 Challenges and Lessons Learned – Virtual Microscopy 2 Mohammad Al-Attar, MD.mp4
June 10 Malignant Effusions- Primary versus Metastatic Marina Vivero, MD.mp4
June 10 Malignant Effusions- Primary versus Metastatic Marina Vivero, MD.pdf
June 10 Molecular Testing in Cytology Specimens Lynette Sholl, MD.mp4
June 10 Molecular Testing in Cytology Specimens Lynette Sholl, MD.pdf
June 10 Pulmonary Cytology- Workup of NSCLC on FNA and Small Biopsy Paul VanderLaan, MD, PhD.mp4
June 10 Pulmonary Cytology- Workup of NSCLC on FNA and Small Biopsy Paul VanderLaan, MD, PhD.pdf
June 10 Questions 1 Paul VanderLaan, MD, PhD; Lynette Sholl, MD.mp4
June 10 Questions 2 Ivan Chebib, MD, FRCPC; Vickie Jo, MD.mp4
June 10 Refining the Diagnosis- Evolving Concepts in Urinary Tract Cytopathology Christopher VandenBussche, MD, PhD.mp4
June 10 Refining the Diagnosis- Evolving Concepts in Urinary Tract Cytopathology Christopher VandenBussche, MD, PhD.pdf
June 10 Soft Tissue FNA and Small Biopsy – Pt 1 Ivan Chebib, MD, FRCPC.mp4
June 10 Soft Tissue FNA and Small Biopsy – Pt 1 Ivan Chebib, MD, FRCPC.pdf
June 10 Soft Tissue FNA and Small Biopsy – Pt 2 Vickie Jo, MD.mp4
June 10 Soft Tissue FNA and Small Biopsy – Pt 2 Vickie Jo, MD.pdf
June 10 Update on WHO Reporting Systems Martha Bishop Pitman, MD.mp4
June 10 Update on WHO Reporting Systems Martha Bishop Pitman, MD.pdf
June 11 Challenges and Lessons Learned – Virtual Microscopy 3 Ivan Chebib, MD, FRCPC; Melissa Zhao, MD, MS.mp4
June 11 Challenges and Lessons Learned – Virtual Microscopy 3 Ivan Chebib, MD, FRCPC; Melissa Zhao, MD, MS.pdf
June 11 Challenging Thyroid Head and Neck Aspirates Kristine Wong, MD.mp4
June 11 Challenging Thyroid Head and Neck Aspirates Kristine Wong, MD.pdf
June 11 HPV Testing in H&N Squamous Cell Carcinoma William Faquin, MD, PhD.mp4
June 11 HPV Testing in H&N Squamous Cell Carcinoma William Faquin, MD, PhD.pdf
June 11 Laboratory Quality Assurance Through the Lens of the Bethesda System Paul VanderLaan, MD, PhD.mp4
June 11 Laboratory Quality Assurance Through the Lens of the Bethesda System Paul VanderLaan, MD, PhD.pdf
June 11 Molecular Testing in Thyroid FNAs Michiya Nishino, MD, PhD.mp4
June 11 Molecular Testing in Thyroid FNAs Michiya Nishino, MD, PhD.pdf
June 11 Non-Ductal Neoplasms of the Pancreas Lisa Zhang, MD.mp4
June 11 Non-Ductal Neoplasms of the Pancreas Lisa Zhang, MD.pdf
June 11 Pancreatic Cysts Martha Bishop Pitman, MD.mp4
June 11 Pancreatic Cysts Martha Bishop Pitman, MD.pdf
June 11 Pancreatic Ductal Carcinoma Lisa Zhang, MD.mp4
June 11 Pancreatic Ductal Carcinoma Lisa Zhang, MD.pdf
June 11 Questions 1 Edmund Cibas, MD; Paul VanderLaan, MD, PhD.mp4
June 11 Questions 2 William Faquin, MD, PhD.mp4
June 11 Questions 3 Martha Bishop Pitman, MD; Lisa Zhang, MD.mp4
June 11 Salivary Gland Cytology and the Milan System William Faquin, MD, PhD.mp4
June 11 Salivary Gland Cytology and the Milan System William Faquin, MD, PhD.pdf
June 11 The Atypical Thyroid Aspirate Edmund Cibas, MD.mp4
June 11 The Atypical Thyroid Aspirate Edmund Cibas, MD.pdf