Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine

29 Articles

Current state of cytopathology residency training: a Korean national survey of pathologists: Uiju Cho, Tae Jung Kim, Wan Seop Kim, Kyo Young Lee, Hye Kyoung Yoon, Hyun Joo Choi; J Pathol Transl Med. 2023;57(2):95-101. Published online March 14, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2023.01.06

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Although the Korean Society for Cytopathology has developed educational goals as guidelines for cytopathology education in Korea, there is still no systematic approach to cytopathology education status for pathology residents. Furthermore, satisfaction with cytopathology education and with the outcome of the current training/educational program has not been investigated in Korea. This study aimed to obtain comprehensive data on the current state of cytopathology education for residents and evaluate education outcomes.
Methods
An online survey was conducted in December 2020 for the board-certified pathologists and training residents registered as members of the Korean Society for Cytopathology. The questionnaire comprised questions that investigated the current status of cytopathology at each training institution, the degree of satisfaction with the work and education related to cytopathology, outcomes of cytopathology training, and educational accomplishments.
Results
Of the participants surveyed, 12.3% (132/1,075) completed the questionnaire, and 36.8% (32/87) of cytopathology residents participated. The mean overall satisfaction with cytopathology education was 3.1 points (on a 1- to 5-point scale, 5: very satisfied). The most frequent suggestion among the free description format responses was to expand educational opportunities, such as online education opportunities, outside of the individual institutions.
Conclusions
Our results showed that cytopathology training in Korea needs further improvement. We expect that this study will inform systematic training of competent medical personnel armed with broad cytopathology knowledge and strong problem-solving abilities.

A standardized pathology report for gastric cancer: 2nd edition: Young Soo Park, Myeong-Cherl Kook, Baek-hui Kim, Hye Seung Lee, Dong-Wook Kang, Mi-Jin Gu, Ok Ran Shin, Younghee Choi, Wonae Lee, Hyunki Kim, In Hye Song, Kyoung-Mee Kim, Hee Sung Kim, Guhyun Kang, Do Youn Park, So-Young Jin, Joon Mee Kim, Yoon Jung Choi, Hee Kyung Chang, Soomin Ahn, Mee Soo Chang, Song-Hee Han, Yoonjin Kwak, An Na Seo, Sung Hak Lee, Mee-Yon Cho; J Pathol Transl Med. 2023;57(1):1-27. Published online January 15, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2022.12.23

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: The first edition of ‘A Standardized Pathology Report for Gastric Cancer’ was initiated by the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists and published 17 years ago. Since then, significant advances have been made in the pathologic diagnosis, molecular genetics, and management of gastric cancer (GC). To reflect those changes, a committee for publishing a second edition of the report was formed within the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists. This second edition consists of two parts: standard data elements and conditional data elements. The standard data elements contain the basic pathologic findings and items necessary to predict the prognosis of GC patients, and they are adequate for routine surgical pathology service. Other diagnostic and prognostic factors relevant to adjuvant therapy, including molecular biomarkers, are classified as conditional data elements to allow each pathologist to selectively choose items appropriate to the environment in their institution. We trust that the standardized pathology report will be helpful for GC diagnosis and facilitate large-scale multidisciplinary collaborative studies.

Usefulness of BRAF VE1 immunohistochemistry in non–small cell lung cancers: a multi-institutional study by 15 pathologists in Korea: Sunhee Chang, Yoon-La Choi, Hyo Sup Shim, Geon Kook Lee, Seung Yeon Ha; J Pathol Transl Med. 2022;56(6):334-341. Published online October 27, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2022.08.22

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Abstract PDF: Background
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is an approved test to select patients for BRAF V600E targeted therapy in Korea. However, the high cost, long turnaround times, and the need for sophisticated equipment and skilled personnel limit the use of NGS in daily practice. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a rapid and relatively inexpensive assay available in most laboratories. Therefore, in this study, we evaluate the usefulness of BRAF VE1 IHC in terms of predictive value and interobserver agreement in non–small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs).
Methods
A total of 30 cases with known BRAF mutation status were selected, including 20 cases of lung adenocarcinomas, six cases of colorectal adenocarcinomas, and four cases of papillary thyroid carcinomas. IHC for BRAF V600E was carried out using the VE1 antibody. Fifteen pathologists independently scored both the staining intensity and the percentage of tumor cell staining on whole slide images.
Results
In the lung adenocarcinoma subset, interobserver agreement for the percentage of tumor cell staining and staining intensity was good (percentage of tumor cell staining, intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.869; staining intensity, kappa = 0.849). The interobserver agreement for the interpretation using the cutoff of 40% was almost perfect in the entire study group and the lung adenocarcinoma subset (kappa = 0.815). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of BRAF VE1 IHC were 80.0%, 90.0%, 88.9%, and 81.8%, respectively.
Conclusions
BRAF VE1 IHC could be a screening test for the detection of BRAF V600E mutation in NSCLC. However, further studies are needed to optimize the protocol and to establish and validate interpretation criteria for BRAF VE1 IHC.

Current status of cytopathology practice in Korea: impact of the coronavirus pandemic on cytopathology practice: Soon Auck Hong, Haeyoen Jung, Sung Sun Kim, Min-Sun Jin, Jung-Soo Pyo, Ji Yun Jeong, Younghee Choi, Gyungyub Gong, Yosep Chong; J Pathol Transl Med. 2022;56(6):361-369. Published online October 27, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2022.09.21

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background
The Continuous Quality Improvement program for cytopathology in 2020 was completed during the coronavirus pandemic. In this study, we report the result of the quality improvement program.
Methods
Data related to cytopathology practice from each institute were collected and processed at the web-based portal. The proficiency test was conducted using glass slides and whole-slide images (WSIs). Evaluation of the adequacy of gynecology (GYN) slides from each institution and submission of case glass slides and WSIs for the next quality improvement program were performed.
Results
A total of 214 institutions participated in the annual cytopathology survey in 2020. The number of entire cytopathology specimens was 8,220,650, a reduction of 19.0% from the 10,111,755 specimens evaluated in 2019. Notably, the number of respiratory cytopathology specimens, including sputum and bronchial washing/ brushing significantly decreased by 86.9% from 2019, which could be attributed to the global pandemic of coronavirus disease. The ratio of cases with atypical squamous cells to squamous intraepithelial lesions was 4.10. All participating institutions passed the proficiency test and the evaluation of adequacy of GYN slides.
Conclusions
Through the Continuous Quality Improvement program, the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, manifesting with a reduction in the number of cytologic examinations, especially in respiratory-related specimen has been identified. The Continuous Quality Improvement Program of the Korean Society for Cytopathology can serve as the gold standard to evaluate the current status of cytopathology practice in Korea.

Standardization of the pathologic diagnosis of appendiceal mucinous neoplasms: Dong-Wook Kang, Baek-hui Kim, Joon Mee Kim, Jihun Kim, Hee Jin Chang, Mee Soo Chang, Jin-Hee Sohn, Mee-Yon Cho, So-Young Jin, Hee Kyung Chang, Hye Seung Han, Jung Yeon Kim, Hee Sung Kim, Do Youn Park, Ha Young Park, So Jeong Lee, Wonae Lee, Hye Seung Lee, Yoo Na Kang, Younghee Choi; J Pathol Transl Med. 2021;55(4):247-264. Published online July 8, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2021.05.28

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Although the understanding of appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (AMNs) and their relationship with disseminated peritoneal mucinous disease have advanced, the diagnosis, classification, and treatment of AMNs are still confusing for pathologists and clinicians. The Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists (GPSG-KSP) proposed a multicenter study and held a workshop for the “Standardization of the Pathologic Diagnosis of the Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm” to overcome the controversy and potential conflicts. The present article is focused on the diagnostic criteria, terminologies, tumor grading, pathologic staging, biologic behavior, treatment, and prognosis of AMNs and disseminated peritoneal mucinous disease. In addition, GPSG-KSP proposes a checklist of standard data elements of appendiceal epithelial neoplasms to standardize pathologic diagnosis. We hope the present article will provide pathologists with updated knowledge on how to handle and diagnose AMNs and disseminated peritoneal mucinous disease.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Delivery of an Incidental Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm
Madison Bowles, Jessica Y Ng, Hajir Nabi
Cureus.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Unearthing novel fusions as therapeutic targets in solid tumors using targeted RNA sequencing
Sungbin An, Hyun Hee Koh, Eun Sol Chang, Juyoung Choi, Ji-Young Song, Mi-Sook Lee, Yoon-La Choi
Frontiers in Oncology.2022;[Epub] CrossRef

Molecular biomarker testing for non–small cell lung cancer: consensus statement of the Korean Cardiopulmonary Pathology Study Group: Sunhee Chang, Hyo Sup Shim, Tae Jung Kim, Yoon-La Choi, Wan Seop Kim, Dong Hoon Shin, Lucia Kim, Heae Surng Park, Geon Kook Lee, Chang Hun Lee; J Pathol Transl Med. 2021;55(3):181-191. Published online May 11, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2021.03.23

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7 Citations

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