Course Description
The practice of hematopathology diagnostics in the modern era is a dynamic and challenging field, especially for general pathologists, junior faculty, and trainees. In addition to the ever-expanding landscape of ancillary studies, especially molecular and cytogenetic studies, two new classification schemes arrived on the scene in 2022. The new International Consensus Classification and the updated WHO 5th edition classification, offer similar but not identical frameworks for clinical diagnostic hematopathology. Additionally, distinction of reactive from neoplastic entities remains a continuous challenge in both bone marrow and lymphoid tissue. Finally, clinical hematology, which impacts the treatment of our patients, is also a continuously evolving field and it is essential to understand how to best provide diagnoses that are updated, accurate, and accessible to our clinical colleagues. This course will seek to highlight diagnostic issues raised by these recent advances through an interactive case-based format. These cases will illustrate how to interpret and apply morphologic criteria in the diagnosis of hematologic neoplasms, especially areas of ambiguity or disagreement within the two classifications. It will also highlight how to avoid diagnosing malignancy in benign mimics, and how apply ancillary testing in concert with the morphology, particularly when there are discordant or unexpected results.
