– A collaboration between NTNU and Dhulikhel Hospital/KUSMS

Lecturers:
Responsible for the course:  Prof. Anna Bofin, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU and Professor Emerita Torill Sauer, Oslo University Hospital

Number of participants:
The maximum number of participants is 20

The aims of the course
The main aim of the course is to give a basic introduction to the diagnostic modalities within the field of pathology that are used in the diagnosis of breast lesions.

Required previous knowledge
The course is open to MD pathologist working in hospitals in Nepal and resident medical doctors currently on training within the field of Pathology in Nepal. A basic understanding of histo- and cytopathology in general is required.

Content
The course will cover the fine needle aspiration technique (FNA) and preparation of cell smears for diagnosis. It will cover diagnostic criteria, differential diagnoses, pitfalls and lookalikes in the cytology and histopathology of the breast. In addition, it will cover the theoretical background for basic methods used to identify and interpret relevant biomarkers visualized by means of immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

The course is divided into three main topics:

1. The histo- and cytopathology of the normal breast and non-malignant lesions of the breast, 5th May at 1:15pm - 3:15pm (Nepal time)
2. The histo- and cytopathology of malignant lesions of the breast, including precursor lesions, 25th May at 1:15pm - 3:15pm (Nepal time)
3. Molecular pathology methods with particular relevance for breast lesions such as  immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. 15th June at 1:15pm - 3:15pm (Nepal time)

The course is a webinar-based series of lectures comprising three two-hour teaching sessions, one for each of the topics described above.  Before each session the participants will be sent a set of cases comprising a short case history and digital pictures of cytological and histopathological slides. The participants are expected to examine the slides and return a diagnosis as an exercise in preparation for the topic. This is not intended to be a test but is rather a way of easing into the topic. These cases and diagnoses will be discussed during the relevant webinar.

Course material
Course literature will be announced well before the start of the course. Digital cytology and histopathology slides with case histories will be sent to the participants in good time before each webinar.

Teaching methods and activities
The language of teaching and examination is English. The course will be given as webinar-based lectures and practical case examination.

Participation in the pre-course practical diagnostics of cases is obligatory.

Credits:
Number of credit-generating hours: 12

Two hours preparation before each Webinar session, and six hours in total for the three Webinars. Participation in the course is obligatory, and 80% of the lectures must be attended and participants must submit tentative diagnoses for all cases sent out before each webinar.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge:
Participants should be able to recognise normal cell populations and the typical histopathological patterns of the common benign and malignant neoplasms seen in the cytological and histopathological specimens from the breast.

Skills: 
Participants should have a theoretical understanding of the fine needle aspiration method, and the preparation of cytology smears for staining and biomarker tests. In addition, they should have a basic understanding of the molecular pathology methods most commonly employed in the investigation of breast tumours (immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation).

General competence:
Participants should be able to correctly assess and diagnose the most common breast lesions using cytopathology and histopathology.

Evaluation
Through multiple choice questions at the end of the course.

The course is fully booked.