Advances in Cytology and Small Biopsies
- Continuing Education
Elevate your diagnostic skills by mastering the latest advances in cytology and small biopsy interpretation including minimally invasive techniques and ancillary testing in this expert-led course from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School.
- Live Online
This course is taught online in real time.
Continuing Education Credits
2025 Accreditation information is listed below, 2026 will be announced soon.
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Overview
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.
Learning Objectives
- 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.
Developed and Offered By:
Continuing Education courses are developed by faculty from Harvard Medical School's teaching hospitals and accredited by Harvard Medical School. This course is offered by Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Participant Types
Faculty
Ivan Chebib
MD, FRCPC
- Director of Cytopathology, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Associate Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Jeffrey Mito
MD, PhD
- Director of Cytopathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Assistant Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Christopher VandenBussche
MD, PhD
- Associate Professor of Pathology and Oncology Director
- Pathology Residency Training Program, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Mohammad M. Al-Attar, MD
Fellow in Cytopathology, Mass General Brigham
Stephanie Alimena, MD
Gynecologic Oncology Attending, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Member of the Faculty, Harvard Medical School
Martha Bishop Pitman, MD
Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Hannah Chen, MD, PhD
Associate Pathologist, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Instructor in Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Edmund Cibas, MD
Senior Pathologist, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Benjamin Davis, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
William Faquin, MD, PhD
Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Massachusetts General Hospital, Director of Head and Neck Pathology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Vickie Jo, MD
Chief of Head and Neck Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Associate Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Melanie C. Kwan, MD
Fellow in Cytopathology, Mass General Brigham
Amy Ly, MD
Assistant Pathologist, Massachusetts General Hospital
Associate Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Emilio Madrigal, DO
Assistant Pathologist, Massachusetts General Hospital
Assistant Professor of Pathology Harvard Medical School
Michiya Nishino, MD, PhD
Director of Head & Neck Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Program Director of Cytopathology Fellowship, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Associate Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Ruhani Sardana, MD
Fellow in Cytopathology, Mass General Brigham
Lynette M. Sholl, MD
Chief of Pulmonary Pathology, Vice Chair of Anatomic Pathology, and Interim Director of the Center for Advanced Molecular Diagnostics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Associate Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Vanda F. Torous, MD
Assistant Pathologist, Massachusetts General Hospital
Assistant Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Paul VanderLaan, MD, PhD
Director of Cytopathology, Surgical Pathology and Thoracic Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Associate Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Marina Vivero, MD
Associate Pathologist, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Assistant Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Kristine Wong, MD
Associate Pathologist, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Assistant Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Sarah Wu, MD, PhD
Associate Pathologist, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Instructor in Pathology, Harvard Medical School
M. Lisa Zhang, MD
Assistant in Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital
Instructor in Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Melissa Zhao, MD, MS
Fellow in Cytopathology, Mass General Brigham
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Course Fees
Fee Disclaimer
You may register through our secure online environment and will receive an email confirmation upon receipt of your payment. Prices include CME credit, electronic syllabus, electronic agenda, and access to recordings for 60 days after the course.
At the end of the registration process, a $10 non-refundable processing fee will be added to your registration.
| Role | Course Fee |
|---|---|
| Physician (MD/DO) | $750.00 |
| Nurse (RN/APRN) | $750.00 |
| Physician Assistant | $750.00 |
| Psychologist | $750.00 |
| Resident/Fellow | $750.00 |
| Social Worker | $750.00 |
| Allied Health Professional / Other | $750.00 |
Accreditation
The Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 25.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This activity is approved for 25.00 credits of Lifelong Learning (Part II) credits towards the American Board of Pathology’s Maintenance of Certification Program.
For the purpose of recertification, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and American Nurses Credentialing Center accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME (Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education). We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure.
The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) states that AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ are acceptable for continuing medical education requirements for recertification. We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialties (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found on the European Union of Medical Specialties website.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognizes conferences and workshops held outside of Canada that are developed by a university, academy, hospital, specialty society or college as accredited group learning activities.