Learning objectives
This course will be mainly focused on the morphologic and molecular techniques applied to the study of pathologic cells and tissues, crucial to provide the pathologist with the best-quality cyto-histologic samples, equipped with all the additional informations necessary to reach the most accurate diagnosis.
This course will lead the students to develop knowledge and understanding of the basic principles for the correct handling and processing of histologic and cytologic samples. Moreover, thorough knowledge and understanding of the basis of the morphologic, histochemical, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and molecular biology techniques ancillary to pathologic diagnosis will be reached.
The students will also acquire:
- knowledge of the specific measures for safety and prevention, that will make them able to work in the Pathologic Anatomy laboratories, and in any other one;
- the ability to analize in a critical way all the phases of the technical work, reaching a judgement-making capacity that will allow them to contribute to identify and solve possible technical troubles in the laboratory procedures;
- communication skills that will be of paramount importance to estabilish cooperation with collegues and pathologists, in order to discuss technical results and propose critical evaluation of the procedures falling within their competence. This will help to improve the quality of the technical work carried out in the pathology laboratory, eventually contributing to improve the final product, i.e. the cyto-histopathologic diagnosis;
- learning skills that will allow them to self-sufficiently follow the evolution of the technological and instrumental progress in the pathology field, in order to understand and, in case, contribute to the introduction of new technical advances. This may be especially relevant for the molecular biology techniques, that are becoming more and more essential in the field of oncologic diagnosis and therapy.
Prerequisites
It is preferred to have Knowledge of the basis of histology
Course unit content
The first lessons will be focused on the procedures that characterize a Histopathology laboratory, including its organization, instrumentation and specific measures for safety and damage prevention. All the technical steps undertaken by a histologic sample since its acceptance at the institute of Pathologic Anatomy will be fully explored: they include fixation, processing, paraffin embedding and sectioning of histologic slides.
The second part of the course will be dedicated to the cyto-histologic stains essential to the identification of cell/tissue components, structures and specific chemical substances, in normal and pathologic conditions. Both the classic histomorphologic/histochemical stains and the more recent immunohistochemical procedures will be fully covered. Such stains represent a valuable aid to the pathologist to reach the most accurate diagnosis.
The last part of the course will be focused on technique ancillary to the pathologic diagnosis,as the molecular biology technique (Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization, FISH). In particular, molecular method may allow the identification of genetic alterations in tumoral tissues processed for routine histopathology (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded). This technique provides the pathologist and the oncologist with paramount informations having possible implications on the diagnosis, prognosis and also prediction of response to pharmacologic treatment with the newly-developed, biologically-targeted, drugs.
Full programme
Organization and the histopathology laboratory
Types of histologic samples: needle biopsies, endoscopic and surgical biopsies, surgical specimens
Handling of histologic samples: acceptance, gross examination, surgical margins staining, sampling
Tissue fixation, processing, paraffin embedding, sectioning
Routine (haematoxylin-eosin), histomorphologic and histochemical stains.
Immunohistochemistry: principles and applications to histopathologic diagnosis
Molecular biology techniques applied to Pathologic Anatomy:FISH (Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization): general principles, applications to oncologic pathology (HER2 gene amplification, ALK gene translocation, 1p19q deletion);
Bibliography
AA.VV. Anatomia Patologica: le basi. Edited by L. Ruco, A. Scarpa. UTET Scienze Mediche, Torino, 2007
AA.VV. Manuale di Tecnica Cito-Istologica. Edited by S. Daniel, T. Zanin. Documentazione Scientifica Editrice (DSE), Bologna, 1997
Printed forms of the Power Point slides presented during the course
Teaching methods
The course will be based on frontal teaching and laboratory frequency.
Assessment methods and criteria
Achievement of learning outcomes will be verified by means of a final oral exam, whose score will be expressed in thirtieth; the minimal threshold to pass the exam will be 18/30, the best mark will be 30/30 “cum laude”. By means of a series of questions touching a wide variety of topics treated during the course, the global level of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical subjects, as well as the ability to logically think and connect related topics, will be verified.
Other information
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