Newly Defined (and Recently Refined) Head and Neck Tumors

Speaker: Justin Bishop, MD

* This speaker has been verified as having no relevant conflicts of interest or financial relationships to disclose.

Course Description (4 Credit Hours)

The head and neck area is home to some of the most diverse pathology in the entire body. In particular, neoplasms, both primary, by secondary involvement, and by metastasis, are myriad and biologic behavior ranges from essentially “harmless” to highly lethal. There are many uncommon tumors and diagnostic pitfalls.  Ideally, all pathologists would have experience and technical knowledge of the patterns and ancillary studies needed for these lesions. Or ideally, would have algorithms and other resources from publications to guide them towards consistent diagnosis. Experienced pathologists can navigate these waters, but the average pathologist in general practice sees these less commonly and is not as knowledgeable about the pitfalls, subtleties and new classifications, particularly those based on new molecular tests. This course is designed to inform participants about various newly recognized lesions of the head and neck, and to give the participating pathologists the tools, and importantly, the confidence to make these diagnoses on their own in practice.

Objectives of Course:

  1. To teach participants about the newest entities and classification systems in head and neck pathology
  2. To teach participants to systematically approach diagnoses in head and neck lesions with clinical features, morphology, immunohistochemistry, and (when necessary) molecular testing.
  3. To teach participants the limitations and potential pitfalls of each diagnostic tool.

At the end of this course the participant:

  • Will be able to list an accurate differential diagnosis for a given head and neck lesion.
  • Will know the appropriate immunostains to order to address the diagnostic possibilities in a thoughtful, stepwise manner
  • Will be able to state the clinical (prognostic and therapeutic) implications for making a given head and neck diagnosis.