Anatomical Pathology
Anatomical Pathology is the branch of pathology that deals with the tissue diagnosis of disease. The RCPAQAP Anatomical Pathology discipline offers diagnostic proficiency testing programs for histopathologists. Diagnostic modules include the flagship General Diagnostic Module covering a variety of specimen types and a selection of other speciality modules. The diagnostic programs can also be used as an educational resource. The RCPAQAP Anatomical Pathology discipline also offers general and speciality immunohistochemistry and technical proficiency testing programs for histology laboratories.
Breast Diagnostic Module
Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting breast pathology. Educational resource for trainees. Stained sections are provided as virtual microscope slide images on DVD-ROM and available via the website.
Frequency / Number of samples
1 survey per year / 10 cases per survey
Tests
Breast Pathology
Dermatopathology Diagnostic Module
Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting dermatopathology. Educational resource for trainees. Stained sections are provided as virtual microscope slide images on DVD-ROM and available via the website.
Frequency / Number of samples
1 survey per year / 10 cases per survey
Tests
Dermatopathology
Electron Microscopy Diagnostic Module
Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting transmission electron microscopy. Electron micrographs on DVD-ROM and available via the website.
*Please note EM diagnostic and technical modules are separate enrolments in 2018
Frequency / Number of samples
1 survey per year / 3 cases per survey (additional educational case may be included)
Tests
Electron microscopy
Electron Microscopy Technical Module
Proficiency testing for laboratories processing transmission electron microscopy specimens.
Lab practice and artefact identification survey. Submission of Electron Micrographs prepared by the laboratory
*Please note EM diagnostic and technical modules are separate enrolments in 2018
Frequency / Number of samples
I survey per year / 2 exercises per survey
Tests
Electron microscopy
Forensic Diagnostic Module
Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting forensic pathology. Educational resource for trainees. Stained sections are provided as virtual microscope slide images on DVD-ROM and available via the website.
Frequency / Number of samples
1 survey per year / 10 cases per survey
Tests
Forensic Pathology
Gastrointestinal Diagnostic Module
Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting gastrointestinal pathology. Educational resource for trainees. Stained sections are provided as virtual microscope slide images on DVD-ROM and available via the website.
Frequency / Number of samples
1 survey per year / 10 cases per survey
Tests
Gastrointestinal Pathology
General Diagnostic Module
Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting routine anatomical pathology. Our flagship diagnostic module covers a wide variety of specimen types. Educational resource for trainees. Stained sections are provided as virtual microscope slide images on DVD-ROM and available via the website.
Frequency / Number of samples
3 surveys per year / 10 cases per survey
Tests
General Anatomical Pathology
Gynaecological Diagnostic Module
Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting gynaecological pathology. Educational resource for trainees. Stained sections are provided as virtual microscope slide images on DVD-ROM and available via the website.
Frequency / Number of samples
1 survey per year / 10 cases per survey
Tests
Gynaecological Pathology
Haematopathology Diagnostic Module
New for 2018. Two subspecialties will be showcased each year over a 3-4 year period and will be convened by a guest pathologist. In 2018, these subspecialties will be Haematopathology and Thoracic Pathology. Modules suggested for future years include Bone/Soft tissue, Endocrine, Head & Neck, Renal (medical), Liver & Pancreaticobiliary. Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting haematolymphoid pathology. Educational resource for other laboratories and trainees.
Stained sections are provided as virtual microscope slide images on DVD-ROM and available via the website.
Frequency / Number of samples
1 survey in 2018 only / 5 cases per survey
Tests
Haematopathology
HER2 BRISH Breast Diagnostic Module
Proficiency testing for individual pathologists who are involved in the diagnostic interpretation of results for HER2 BRISH testing in breast cancer.
Stained sections of H&E, HER2 IHC and HER2 BRISH (single or dual probe) slides are provided as virtual microscope slide images on DVD-ROM and available via the website. As this is available as an individual enrolment only, laboratories will be capped for invoicing purposes at 5 enrolments.
Frequency / Number of samples
2 surveys per year / 6 cases per survey
Tests
HER2 BRISH Breast
HER2 BRISH Gastric Module
Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists performing HER2 BRISH testing on gastric cases.
Please note this is a combined technical and diagnostic module.
Unstained formalin fixed paraffin sections comprising of composite tissue block are to be stained by laboratory and then HER2 BRISH interpretation is provided by laboratory/pathologist. Only one set of slides is issued to each enrolled laboratory. If there are multiple pathologists enrolled as individuals, this slide must be rotated to all enrolled pathologists. If a pathologist chooses to enrol as an individual, they must ensure the laboratory is also enrolled to receive the slides.
Frequency / Number of samples
1 survey per year / 6 exercises per survey
Tests
HER2 BRISH Gastric including Immunohistochemistry techniques
Immunohistochemistry and Technical Neuropathology Module
Proficiency testing for laboratories processing neuropathology specimens. This is a combined module where unstained formalin fixed paraffin sections are provided for immunohistochemical and special staining.
Frequency / Number of samples
1 survey per year / 2 exercises per survey
Tests
Immunohistochemistry and special stains techniques. 2018 testing includes IDH-1 R132H (alternate EMA) and Amyloid
