Anatomical Pathology

The RCPAQAP Anatomical Pathology discipline offers programs in the areas of diagnostic and technical proficiency of histopathology laboratories.

Diagnostic survey cases are selected to demonstrate either classical histological features of a disease process, common disease processes observed in routine pathology laboratories or critical disease processes of educational value to participants.

Technical survey cases are selected on similar criteria of classical, common or critical features to be demonstrated by routine methods in the laboratory.

The diagnostic proficiency programs offer enrolments for laboratories, individual pathologists and trainees. Laboratories requiring participation in a technical external proficiency testing program for Australian accreditation may enrol in the technical and immunohistochemistry programs. Each program has an Advisory Committee which is overseen by a convening pathologist.

RCPA trainees wishing to donate material to fulfill portfolio requirements are advised to contact [email protected]

ALK Translocation for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC): FISH

Proficiency testing for laboratories staining ALK immunohistochemistry. Proficiency testing for laboratories interpreting ALK translocation.

Catalogue Number

13010102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

1

Sample Type

Unstained formalin fixed paraffin sections comprising of composite tissue block to be stained/processed/interpreted for ALK.

Schedule

May

Measurand/Test

ALK FISH

Storage and Handling

Upon receipt, store samples at room temperature

Product details last updated on June 14, 2023

ALK Translocation for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC): IHC

Proficiency testing for laboratories staining ALK immunohistochemistry. Proficiency testing for laboratories interpreting ALK translocation.

Catalogue Number

13020102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

1

Sample Type

Unstained formalin fixed paraffin sections comprising of composite tissue block to be stained/processed/interpreted for ALK.

Schedule

May

Measurand/Test

ALK IHC

Storage and Handling

Upon receipt, store samples at room temperature

Product details last updated on June 14, 2023

ALK Translocation for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC): Molecular

Proficiency testing for laboratories staining ALK immunohistochemistry. Proficiency testing for laboratories interpreting ALK translocation.

Catalogue Number

13030102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

1

Sample Type

Unstained formalin fixed paraffin sections comprising of composite tissue block to be stained/processed/interpreted for ALK.

Schedule

May

Measurand/Test

ALK Molecular

Storage and Handling

Upon receipt, store samples at room temperature

Product details last updated on June 14, 2023

Breast Diagnostic

Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting breast pathology. Educational resource for other laboratories/trainees.

Catalogue Number

13040102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

10

Sample Type

Stained sections are provided as virtual microscope slide images in the myQAP portal. USBs can be purchased separately.

Schedule

March

Measurand/Test

Breast Histopathology

Product details last updated on August 20, 2020

Dermatopathology Diagnostic

Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting dermatopathology. Educational resource for other laboratories/trainees.

Catalogue Number

13050102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

10

Sample Type

Stained sections are provided as virtual microscope slide images in the myQAP portal. USBs can be purchased separately.

Schedule

March

Measurand/Test

Skin Histopathology

Product details last updated on July 31, 2020

Electron Microscopy Diagnostic

Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting transmission electron microscopy. Educational resource for other laboratories/trainees.

Catalogue Number

13060102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

3 (educational case may be included)

Schedule

September

Measurand/Test

Transmission Electron Microscopy

Product details last updated on August 11, 2022

Electron Microscopy Technical

Proficiency testing for laboratories processing transmission electron microscopy specimens.

Catalogue Number

13070102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

2

Sample Type

Submission of Electron Micrographs prepared by the laboratory. Laboratory practice questionnaire.

Schedule

September

Measurand/Test

Transmission Electron Microscopy techniques

Product details last updated on August 11, 2022

Endocrine Diagnostic

Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting endocrine pathology. Educational resource for other laboratories and trainees.

Catalogue Number

13350101

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

10

Sample Type

Stained sections are provided as virtual microscope slide images in the myQAP portal. USBs can be purchased separately.

Schedule

July

Product details last updated on August 31, 2023

Fluorescence in-situ Hybridisation (FISH) Diagnostic

Proficiency testing for laboratories reporting solid tumour fluorescence in-situ hybridisation. A different probe is tested each year (1p/19q in 2024).

Catalogue Number

13310102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

1

Sample Type

Unstained formalin fixed paraffin sections to be stained and interpreted for 1p/19q FISH probe.

Schedule

April

Measurand/Test

1p/19q, FISH

Product details last updated on August 31, 2023

Forensic Diagnostic

Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting forensic pathology. Educational resource for other laboratories/trainees.

Catalogue Number

13080102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

10

Sample Type

Stained sections are provided as virtual microscope slide images in the myQAP portal. USBs can be purchased separately.

Schedule

March

Measurand/Test

Forensic Pathology

Product details last updated on July 31, 2020

Gastrointestinal Diagnostic

Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting gastrointestinal pathology. Educational resource for other laboratories/trainees.

Catalogue Number

13090102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

10

Sample Type

Stained sections are provided as virtual microscope slide images in the myQAP portal. USBs can be purchased separately.

Schedule

July

Measurand/Test

Gastrointestinal Histopathology

Product details last updated on August 20, 2020

General Diagnostic

Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting routine Anatomical Pathology. Educational resource for trainees.

Catalogue Number

13100102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

3

Cases/samples per survey

10

Sample Type

Stained sections are provided as virtual microscope slide images in the myQAP portal. USBs can be purchased separately.

Schedule

February, May, September

Measurand/Test

General Histopathology

Product details last updated on August 20, 2020