Standardized Pathology Report for Breast Cancer

Abstract

Given the recent advances in management and understanding of breast cancer, a standardized pathology report reflecting these changes is critical. To meet this need, the Breast Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists has developed a standardized pathology reporting format for breast cancer, consisting of ‘standard data elements,’ ‘conditional data elements,’ and a biomarker report form. The ‘standard data elements’ consist of the basic pathologic features used for prognostication, while other factors related to prognosis or diagnosis are described in the ‘conditional data elements.’ In addition to standard data elements, all recommended issues are also presented. We expect that this standardized pathology report for breast cancer will improve diagnostic concordance and communication between pathologists and clinicians, as well as between pathologists inter-institutionally.

Reproducibility and Feasibility of Classification and National Guidelines for Histological Diagnosis of Canine Mammary Gland Tumours: A Multi-Institutional Ring Study

“…In addition, variable diagnostic approaches can also be pathologist-related aspects, impacting diagnostic variability during the routine, such as the number of sections evaluated per lesion, application of ancillary analyses, such as histochemical and immunohistochemical tests, and a combination of both pathological and clinical aspects to produce a diagnosis [ 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ]. All these aspects are very hard to standardise and complex dedicated protocol guidelines should be considered in the attempt of reducing this variability [ 78 , 79 , 80 ]. They were not targeted in our study but should certainly receive further additional attention.…”

Knockdown of ER‐α36 expression inhibits glioma proliferation, invasion and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition

“…Immunohistochemical staining was performed according to standard protocols using specific antibodies against ER-α36. The Allred scoring system was used to assess the level of ER-α36 staining (Cho et al, 2021). The Allred score accounts for staining intensity (0, no staining; 1, weak; 2, moderate; 3, strong) and the proportion of stained cells (0, 0%; 1, <1%; 2, 1-10%; 3, 11-33%; 4, 34-66%; 5, >66%), resulting in a summed score (intensity + proportion = Allred score) between 0 and 8.…”

An update on the pathological classification of breast cancer

“…Over the last few decades, the classification of BC has moved from a simple pathological diagnosis, based on confirmation of cancer and a description of type such as “adenocarcinoma of the breast” or “scirrhous breast carcinoma”, to comprehensive synoptic reports that now include more than 20 core items in addition to a series of noncore items. Several national organizations, including the United Kingdom Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP), have published BC datasets and guideline recommendations to help pathologists involved in reporting BC to improve concordance and so to enhance patient care 12‐14 . In further recognition of the importance of pathology reports in providing the fundamental information required for the management of BC patients, the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting (ICCR) was founded by major pathology organizations from around the world to produce internationally standardized and evidence‐based datasets to improve cancer patient outcomes worldwide and to advance international benchmarking in cancer management (http://www.iccr-cancer.org/).…”