Founders Seminar

Speaker: Bob Robinson, MD, PhD

* This speaker has been verified as having no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

“Challenging Cases in Head and Neck Pathology”

Course Description (3 credit hours):

The course will be based on cases chosen whose presentation will highlight difficult differential diagnoses in head and neck pathology. Using this case based format, the index cases will range from undifferentiated malignant neoplasms to endocrine neoplasia of the head and neck, sinonasal lesions, and salivary gland tumors. Whether the differential is broad or more focused, all cases to be presented have specific challenges in their diagnosis. The discussion of these cases will include the associated pathology work up, including the ideal integration of light microscopy, immunohistochemical studies, and molecular testing, including the use of next generation sequencing (NGS) platforms, to stratify and narrow the differential diagnosis.

Objectives of course:

  • Learn to utilize light microscopic clues to help direct the appropriate use of ancillary pathology testing, whether immunohistochemical or molecular
  • Understand the many potential traps of ordering and interpreting immunohistochemical stains
  • Be able to analyze the appropriate use, including cost-benefits, of NGS testing in neoplasms for targeted patient management
  • Gain more familiarity with undifferentiated neoplasms and their broad differential diagnosis
  • Learn to recognize unusual head and neck endocrine tumors in order to appropriately direct treatment
  • Diagnose nasal lesions, non-neoplastic and neoplastic, that can be often confused microscopically
  • Consider the unusual presentation of an uncommon salivary gland tumor that can lead to a significantly incorrect surgical procedure

At the end of this course the participant:

  • Will have a better understanding of how to approach the pathologic diagnosis of undifferentiated neoplasms
  • Realize the traps of immunohistochemical staining in the histologic diagnosis of neoplasms.
  • Be cognizant of the appropriate ordering of ancillary testing of tumors beyond routine hematoxylin and eosin staining
  • Recognize unusual head and neck endocrine tumors