Arthur Purdy Stout Society of Surgical Pathologists

Pathologists must perform several functions when assessing resection specimens, including tumor staging in cancer cases, assessment of resection adequacy, and documentation of non-neoplastic disease. In fact, accurate classification of non-neoplastic disease can only be made in light of the findings at gross examination in many cases. Pathologists need to understand the anatomy and lesional findings in complex resection specimens, not only to accurately document extent of disease, but to facilitate judicious submission of an appropriate number of tissue blocks. Systematic pathologic evaluation of cancer resection specimens plays a vital role in determining the patient’s prognosis and facilitating decisions regarding use of adjuvant therapy. The upcoming 8th edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual introduces new concepts regarding distinction between gross tumor characteristics and microscopic invasive disease for purposes of cancer staging, and builds upon prior schemes regarding staging of neoadjuvantly treated cancers. This session will focus on incorporating gross findings into overall pathologic assessment of surgical resection specimens. Attention will be given to interpretation of gross findings of complex surgical specimens for non-neoplastic and neoplastic indications, tumor staging issues introduced by the 8th edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual, and effects of neoadjuvant therapies on gross and microscopic findings.