Precision Cancer Medicine Central Role of the Pathologist

Introduction: From ‘tissue diagnosis’  to biomarkers.- The advent of biomarker testing.- The challenges for Pathology – multiple rapidly evolving methods.- Evolution of the Total Test approach to tissue-based pathological analysis.- Pre-Analytical Phase: test selection; specimen acquisition and handling.- Pre-analytical phase: Specimen Type and Acquisition.- Pre-analytical Phase: Biopsy/tissue handling and processing.- Analytical Phase: protocol and reagents.- Analytical Phase  – principles for immunohistochemistry (IHC).- Analytical Phase: Current controls; fit-for-purpose selection and validation.- Analytic Phase: Alternative and new control systems.- Post-Analytic phase: Interpretation, Scoring and Reporting of Biopsy Results.- Description and interpretation of results: The Pathology Report.- Immunofluorescence, in situ hybridisation and alternative forms of ‘labelled’ microscopy.- Implementation of Precision Cancer Diagnostic Test.- Precision Cancer Diagnosis.- Role of Pathologist in Precision Molecular & Digital Image Analyses.- Introduction to Digital and Computational Pathology.- AI in the pre-analytical phase.- AI in the Analytical Phase.- AI in the post-analytical phase.- AI in the Decision Phase.- Workflow Automation and process standardisation.-The importance of genomic medicine in cancer.- The role of Cellular Pathology.- Testing methodologies – benefits and limitations.- Analysing and interpreting the cancer genome.- The role of the Multidisciplinary team.- Safe clinical reporting.- Quality assurance and accreditation.- What the future beholds.