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This page shows you the latest news and research items in this category.

Defining a positive circumferential resection margin in oesophageal cancer and its implications for adjuvant treatment
ConclusionA positive CRM of 1 mm or less should be regarded as involved. Adjuvant radiotherapy confers a significant survival benefit in selected patients with an involved CRM. (Source: British Journal of Surgery)
Source: British Journal of Surgery - April 24, 2013 Category: Surgery Authors: J. R. O'Neill, N. A. Stephens, V. Save, H. M. Kamel, H. A. Phillips, P. J. Driscoll, S. Paterson‐Brown Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Investigation raises questions over UK pathology services
Improvements are needed to the way pathology departments across the country are organised and quality assessed, a Royal College of Pathologists investigation has found. (Source: HSJ)
Source: HSJ - April 8, 2013 Category: UK Health Source Type: news

Combined handling of prostate base/bladder neck and seminal vesicles in radical prostatectomy specimens: our approach with the whole mount technique
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. (Source: Histopathology)
Source: Histopathology - April 6, 2013 Category: Pathology Authors: Rodolfo Montironi, Liang Cheng, Antonio Lopez‐Beltran, Roberta Mazzucchelli, Marina Scarpelli Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research

Systematic review and meta‐analysis of the influence of circumferential resection margin involvement on survival in patients with operable oesophageal cancer
Conclusion:CRM involvement is an important predictor of poor prognosis. CAP criteria differentiate a higher‐risk group than RCP criteria, but overlook a patient group with similar poor outcomes. Copyright © 2012 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: British Journal of Surgery)
Source: British Journal of Surgery - January 14, 2013 Category: Surgery Authors: D. S. Y. Chan, T. D. Reid, I. Howell, W. G. Lewis Tags: Meta‐Analysis Source Type: research

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the influence of circumferential resection margin involvement on survival in patients with operable oesophageal cancer.
CONCLUSION: CRM involvement is an important predictor of poor prognosis. CAP criteria differentiate a higher-risk group than RCP criteria, but overlook a patient group with similar poor outcomes. Copyright © 2012 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. PMID: 23319427 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The British Journal of Surgery)
Source: The British Journal of Surgery - January 14, 2013 Category: Surgery Authors: Chan DS, Reid TD, Howell I, Lewis WG Tags: Br J Surg Source Type: research

Dataset for reporting of prostate carcinoma in radical prostatectomy specimens: recommendations from the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting
This project was designed to harmonise the Royal College of Pathologists, College of American Pathologists and Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia datasets, checklists and structured reporting protocols for examination of radical prostatectomy specimens, with the aim of producing a common, internationally agreed, evidence‐based dataset for prostate cancer reporting. The International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting prostate cancer expert review panel analysed the three existing datasets, identifying concordant items and classified these data elements as ‘required’ (mandatory) or ‘recommended’ (non‐ma...
Source: Histopathology - December 13, 2012 Category: Pathology Authors: James G Kench, Brett Delahunt, David F Griffiths, Peter A Humphrey, Thomas McGowan, Kiril Trpkov, Murali Varma, Thomas M Wheeler, John R Srigley Tags: Review Source Type: research

Adequacy of Pathology Reports of Specimens from Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer
This study aims to investigate the adequacy of pathology reports of specimens from patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) operated in our institution. Retrospective analysis of the pathology reports of all patients diagnosed with DTC in our area, from 1 January 2006 through 30 June 2011, was done. Sixty-eight patients were diagnosed with DTC. All reports were descriptive. In all the reports, but one, one or more core data items (according to the Royal College of Pathologists) were missing. Information about 1 and 2 items was lacking in 7.4 and 42.6 % of the reports, respectively. The rest were missing t...
Source: Endocrine Pathology - November 14, 2012 Category: Pathology Tags: Endocrine Pathology Source Type: research

National Thyroid Ultrasound and FNA Course for Clinicians
The National Thyroid Ultrasound and FNA Course for Clinicians will be held on Wednesday 5 December 2012 from 09.00 - 17.00 at The Royal College of Pathologists, 2 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AF. This popular one-day course is an essential part of the national training scheme for certification in the use of ultrasound in the management of thyroid diseases by nonradiologists. The curriculum for training and certification for neck ultrasound by non-radiologists has been drawn up jointly by the British Thyroid Association and the Royal College of Radiologists. The programme is also supported by the Society for Endocrin...
Source: Society for Endocrinology - August 6, 2012 Category: Endocrinology Source Type: news

Molecular diagnosis on tissues and cells: how it affects training and will affect practice in the future
C. Boyd and D. P. Boyle  Molecular diagnosis on tissues and cells: how it affects training and will affect practice in the futureOn 25th November 2011, a symposium organized by the Royal College of Pathologists, entitled ‘Molecular diagnosis on tissues and cells’, took place in London. As trainees in histopathology and cytopathology, we were stimulated to consider the role that molecular biology is likely to play in future practice and how this is addressed by our own training. The symposium provided a basis for this article. Routine samples requiring molecular analysis are equally relevant to histopathologists and c...
Source: Cytopathology - July 29, 2012 Category: Pathology Authors: C. Boyd, D. P. Boyle Tags: REVIEW Source Type: research

Can the new RCP R0/R1 classification predict the clinical outcome in ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head?
Conclusions Our study has shown that the RCP suggestion for R status has no impact on the prognosis of PDAC. In contrast, our data confirmed the UICC R classification of RM as well as N category, grading, and lymph node ratio as significant prognostic factors. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s00423-012-0953-5Authors M. S. Janot, Department of General and Visceral Surgery, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Gudrunstrasse 56, 44791 Bochum, GermanyS. Kersting, Department of General and Visceral Surgery, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Gudrun...
Source: Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery - June 14, 2012 Category: Surgery Tags: Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery Source Type: research

Enhanced biomedical scientist cut-up role in colonic cancer reporting
Conclusions Benefits of extending the BMS role to category D specimens may include BMS professional advancement, efficient use of consultant time and the development of a team approach to cancer reporting. The achievement of colorectal cancer performance targets and favourable comparison with pathologist performance implies there was no perceived detrimental effect on quality or safety and thus patient management. (Source: Journal of Clinical Pathology)
Source: Journal of Clinical Pathology - May 19, 2012 Category: Pathology Authors: Sanders, S. A., Smith, A., Carr, R. A., Roberts, S., Gurusamy, S., Simmons, E. Tags: Immunology (including allergy), Colon cancer Original article Source Type: research

Internal Quality Control and External Quality Assurance in Testing for Antiphospholipid Antibodies: Part I—Anticardiolipin and Anti-β2-Glycoprotein I Antibodies
This article is the first of two that review the process for, and provides recommendations to improve, internal quality control (IQC) and external quality assurance (EQA; or proficiency testing) for aPL assays. These processes are critical for ensuring the quality of laboratory test results and thence the appropriate clinical diagnosis and management of APS. This article covers aCL and aβ2GPI testing. In brief, IQC is a process that helps control the quality of laboratory test results on a test-by-test basis; IQC should include samples that provide values around the assay critical cut-off values, and there is added value ...
Source: Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis - May 8, 2012 Category: Hematology Authors: Favaloro, Emmanuel J.Wheatland, LorettaJovanovich, SueRoberts-Thomson, PeterWong, Richard C. W. Source Type: research

Internal Quality Control and External Quality Assurance in Testing for Antiphospholipid Antibodies: Part II—Lupus Anticoagulant
This article is the second of two that review the process for, and provide recommendations to improve, internal quality control (IQC) and external quality assurance (EQA; or proficiency testing) for aPL assays. These processes are critical for ensuring the quality of laboratory test results, and thence the appropriate clinical diagnosis and management of APS. This article covers LA testing. We provide some updated findings from the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Haematology Quality Assurance Program, and cover testing results for the past 3 years (2009 to 2011 inclusive). In brief: (1) essentially all laborat...
Source: Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis - May 7, 2012 Category: Hematology Authors: Favaloro, Emmanuel J.Bonar, RoslynMarsden, Katherine Source Type: research

Lab of love
The Royal College of Pathologists is using its golden anniversary to raise awareness of the variety of opportunities in the specialty (Source: BMA daily feed)
Source: BMA daily feed - April 30, 2012 Category: UK Health Source Type: news

Interobserver Reproducibility of Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration Using the UK Royal College of Pathologists' Classification System.
PMID: 22523225 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Clinical Pathology)
Source: American Journal of Clinical Pathology - April 29, 2012 Category: Pathology Authors: Crippa S, Dina R Tags: Am J Clin Pathol Source Type: research

Current and future delivery of diagnostic electron microscopy in the UK: results of a national survey
Conclusions In the current financial climate it seems unlikely that units will be willing to make the large investment in equipment and staff needed to take on extra work, unless they can be reasonably confident of an acceptable financial return as a result of increased external referral rates. The case is thus made for a degree of national coordination of the future provision of this specialist service, possibly through the National Commissioning Group or the new National Commissioning Board. Without this, the future of diagnostic EM services in the UK is uncertain. Its failure would pose a threat to good patient care. (S...
Source: Journal of Clinical Pathology - March 19, 2012 Category: Pathology Authors: de Haro, T., Furness, P. Tags: Clinical diagnostic tests Original article Source Type: research

Royal College of Pathologists' autopsy guidelines on sudden cardiac death: roles for cannabis, cotinine, NSAIDs and psychology
The Royal College of Pathologists have published guidelines on autopsy practice as a new set of standardised best practice scenarios. Scenario 1 (sudden death with likely cardiac pathology) was issued in 2005.1 The intention of the College Working Party on the Autopsy was that the scenarios would be periodically reviewed, updated and augmented.2 There is a need to place cannabis, nicotine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and psychology in the proper context when reporting on cardiac deaths. The rationale follows. In the list of drugs, both licit and illicit, which may cause sudden cardiac death is marijuana....
Source: Journal of Clinical Pathology - January 19, 2012 Category: Pathology Authors: Tormey, W. P. Tags: PostScript Source Type: research

Post mortem magnetic resonance imaging in the fetus, infant and child: A comparative study with conventional autopsy (MaRIAS Protocol)
DISCUSSIONUsing conventional post mortem as the gold standard comparator, the MR images will be assessed for accuracy of the anatomical morphology, associated lesions, clinical usefulness of information and determination of the cause of death. The sensitivities, specificities and predictive values of post mortem MR alone and MR imaging along with other minimally invasive post mortem investigations will be presented for the final diagnosis, broad diagnostic categories and for specific diagnosis of each system.Clinical Trial Registration: NCT01417962NIHR Portfolio Number: 6794 (Source: BMC Pediatrics - Latest articles)
Source: BMC Pediatrics - Latest articles - December 22, 2011 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Sudhin ThayyilNeil SebireLyn ChittyAngie WadeOystein OlsenRoxana GunnyAmaka OffiahDawn SaundersCatherine OwensWk ChongNicola RobertsonAndrew Taylor Source Type: research

Comparison of circumferential resection margin clearance criteria with survival after surgery for cancer of esophagus
ConclusionThis study appears to lend credence to the RCP criteria for definition of CRM over the CAP criteria. J. Surg. Oncol © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Source: Journal of Surgical Oncology)
Source: Journal of Surgical Oncology - December 12, 2011 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: V.S.R. Rao, M.M.Y. Yeung, J. Cooke, E. Salim, P.K. Jain Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Sammy Franks obituary
Prostate pathologist whose research linked cancer and ageingLeonard Maurice Franks, fondly known as "Sammy", who has died aged 90, was regarded as the doyen of prostate pathologists. Particularly important was his research into the high frequency of prostate cancer in ageing men, which led to the appreciation that if a man lives long enough, he will develop prostate cancer. Sammy was also a pioneer in the application of cell culture and electron microscopy to cancer research. He was for decades a revered authority on tumour biology.He was born in Newcastle upon Tyne and graduated in medicine from Durham University in 1942....
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - November 29, 2011 Category: Science Authors: Nicholas Wright Tags: Medical research People in science Health Society The Guardian Obituaries Source Type: news

The prognostic benefits of routine staining with elastica to increase detection of venous invasion in colorectal cancer specimens
We read with interest the article by Messenger et al1 describing current practice patterns for the assessment of venous invasion in colorectal cancer in Ontario, Canada. The authors highlight the low reporting rates of venous invasion across the region with 70% of pathologists identifying venous invasion in fewer than 10% of cases. Such rates are some way below the Royal College of Pathologists' minimum audit threshold of 25%. The authors report that pathologists who employed elastin stains in their practice had a higher rate of detection of venous invasion; however, there was little enthusiasm for the widespread applicati...
Source: Journal of Clinical Pathology - November 17, 2011 Category: Pathology Authors: Roxburgh, C. S. D., Foulis, A. K. Tags: PostScript Source Type: research

Current practice patterns among pathologists in the assessment of venous invasion in colorectal cancer
Conclusions Self-reported VI detection rates are low among most pathologists. Even among specialist GI pathologists practicing in university-affiliated centres, few reported a detection rate close to that recommended by the RCPath. Strategies to increase the detection of VI may be required. (Source: Journal of Clinical Pathology)
Source: Journal of Clinical Pathology - October 22, 2011 Category: Pathology Authors: Messenger, D. E., Driman, D. K., McLeod, R. S., Riddell, R. H., Kirsch, R. Tags: Immunology (including allergy), Colon cancer Original article Source Type: research

New advances prompt genetics guidance update
A new report from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), Royal College of Pathologists and British Society for Human Genetics explores the complex mix of legislation that applies to the use of genetic data and samples and sets out clear guidelines for healthcare professionals. The guidelines can be accessed via the link below. RCP press release (Source: Society for Endocrinology)
Source: Society for Endocrinology - September 12, 2011 Category: Endocrinology Source Type: news

External quality assurance target setting with NIST SRM 968d material: performance in the 2010 Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Quality Assurance Program with retinol, {alpha}-tocopherol and {beta}-carotene
(Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry)
Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry - August 31, 2011 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Greaves, R. F., Hoad, K. E., Woollard, G. A., Walmsley, T. A., Briscoe, S., Johnson, L. A., Carter, W. D., Gill, J. P. Tags: Letters Source Type: research

Lymph Node Correlations and Thresholds in Colorectal Cancer Specimens
In this study of 391 patients, the authors aim to determine the optimal node counts in patients with colorectal cancer, examine for correlations between maximum tumor diameter and lymph node yield, and examine for correlations between lymph node yield and involved node numbers. Furthermore, the authors aim to examine the impact of specimen type on the harvested node numbers and assess whether the personal differences between surgeons and pathologists have significant influence on node yield. A moderate positive correlation between maximum tumor diameter and final lymph node yield was noted (Spearman’s correlation coe...
Source: International Journal of Surgical Pathology - August 29, 2011 Category: Pathology Authors: Minhas, J. S., Igali, L. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

A national audit of pollen immunotherapy for children in the United Kingdom: patient selection and programme safety
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Pollen SIT is available across England, though small numbers of children are being treated. Current national guidelines to exclude asthmatic children in SIT programmes are not being adhered to by most specialist paediatric allergy centres. SCIT and SLIT has been well tolerated. Review of patient selection criteria is needed and may allow greater use of this therapeutic option in appropriate clinical settings. (Source: Clinical and Experimental Allergy)
Source: Clinical and Experimental Allergy - July 14, 2011 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: G. H. S. VanceS. GoldringJ. O. WarnerH. CoxB. SihraS. HughesJ. GardnerJ. NorthG. RobertsC. A. ProudfootA. ClarkeD. K. LuytD. GilliesA. T. Fox Source Type: research

Transfusion tomorrow: Royal College of Pathologists, November 2010
Introduction. Following on from 2009's successful meeting ‘Transfusion Today’, the Royal College of Pathologists presented another fascinating 2‐day symposium ‘Transfusion Tomorrow’ to consider the future impact of recent advances in transfusion medicine. Topics ranged from blood safety issues and regulation, through clinical and laboratory practice, to molecular advances in transfusion science. The meeting focussed on the evidence base for developments in clinical practice and drew in a wide cross‐section of scientific, clinical and technical staff. (Source: Transfusion Medicine)
Source: Transfusion Medicine - July 9, 2011 Category: Hematology Authors: C. E. ButlerE. L. Dickens Source Type: research

Change of HbA1c reporting to the new SI units.
An international consensus statement recommends that dual reporting of haemoglobin A (HbA(1c)) levels - in the current units (percentage) and Système International (SI) units (mmol/mol) - be used as an interim measure for a 2-year transition period before progressing towards the use of SI units only. This recommendation is supported by the Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, the Australian Diabetes Society and the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia. The SI units are a true measure of HbA(1c) and remove potential confusion between HbA(1c) values and...
Source: Med J Aust - July 3, 2011 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Jones GR, Barker G, Goodall I, Schneider HG, Shephard MD, Twigg SM Tags: Med J Aust Source Type: research

The Interobserver Reproducibility of Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspiration Using the UK Royal College of Pathologists' Classification System.
This study demonstrates that international efforts to harmonize and refine thyroid cytology classification systems can improve consistency in the clinical management of thyroid nodules. PMID: 21571958 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Clinical Pathology)
Source: American Journal of Clinical Pathology - May 18, 2011 Category: Pathology Authors: Kocjan G, Chandra A, Cross PA, Giles T, Johnson SJ, Stephenson TJ, Roughton M, Poller DN Tags: Am J Clin Pathol Source Type: research

Laboratory reporting of urine protein and albumin.
Communication between pathology laboratories and clients involves more than just a result. There may be advice on recommended specimen type as well as the units and reference intervals used to report results. Between-laboratory variability in these factors has the potential to cause unnecessary confusion and even to lead to variation in interpretation for samples sent to different laboratories. A survey of Australian and New Zealand laboratories covering sample recommendations, specimens received, units and reference intervals for urine albumin and urine protein was conducted through the Royal College of Pathologists o...
Source: The Clinical Biochemist. Reviews - April 30, 2011 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Jones GR Tags: Clin Biochem Rev Source Type: research

Rheumatoid factor measurement—continuing problems 70 years after discovery
This study compared RF results between two commonly used commercial instruments. Serum samples were exchanged between a laboratory using a Beckman Immage immunonephelometer and another using a Roche Modular immunoturbidimeter. The World Health Organization (WHO) reference standard for RF (W1066) was then used to compare the two methods. The Roche immunoturbidimeter appears to have superior sensitivity. Furthermore, there is significant bias between the two instruments as levels of RF increase. Results from the WHO RF reference preparation correlated most closely with the results from the Roche immunoturbidimeter. Stan...
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - March 31, 2011 Category: Rheumatology Tags: Clinical Rheumatology Source Type: research

Warning about self-test health kits
DIY health testing kits have made headlines, with several newspapers reporting that they could do more harm than good. Home test kits designed to detect ailments from high cholesterol to cancer, can be misleading, offer false reassurance or trigger false alarms, and use language that is often confusing, the media reported. The stories are based on a new report by the consumer organisation Which? on six widely available home testing kits. It found many problems with the tests, including gaps in information, difficulty of use, “baffling” language, the risk of false alarms or false reassurance and misleading naming. Accor...
Source: NHS News Feed - March 31, 2011 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: QA articles Source Type: news

Dame Barbara Clayton obituary
Pathologist whose work led to advances in hormone chemistryDame Barbara Clayton, who has died aged 88, made outstanding contributions to clinical medicine, medical research and public service. Her work led to advances in hormone chemistry, the prevention of lead pollution and the micronutrient needs of children and older people. She also served on many committees, chairing the advisory group that investigated the Camelford water-pollution incident.Clayton was born in Liverpool, and her father was a food technologist who invented salad cream. She attended Bromley county school for girls, south-east London, where she was hea...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - March 6, 2011 Category: Science Authors: Caroline Richmond Tags: Medical research Science Medicine Education Pollution Environment NHS Health Society The Guardian Obituaries Source Type: news

Number of postmortems in England and Wales should be cut – researchers
While some postmortems help investigate crime, many are unnecessary and intrusive, a study findsThe number of postmortem examinations carried out in England and Wales is unjustifiably high and could be cut by 80,000 a year, researchers say.Currently, more than one in five of all deaths leads to a postmortem – more than double the rate in Scotland, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.An automatic recourse to postmortem is "inappropriate" and coroners should instead look to requesting more external examinations, experts said.While some postmortems are essential for establishing cause of death and investigating possi...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - January 3, 2011 Category: Science Tags: Health Science Scotland Wales UK news The Guardian Society Source Type: news

Government apologises over removal of body parts from ex-nuclear workers
Removal of organs and other tissues from bodies of former nuclear plant workers over 30-year period was result of 'unacceptable working practices', energy secretary saysThe removal of organs and other tissues from the bodies of 76 former workers at nuclear plants over a 30-year period that began in the 1960s should not have happened and was the result of "unacceptable working practices" in the NHS, the coroners service and the nuclear industry, the energy secretary, Chris Huhne, said yesterday.Speaking in the Commons to launch the report that followed a three-year inquiry into the affair, Huhne confirmed that families' vie...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - November 16, 2010 Category: Science Authors: Alok Jha Tags: Chris Huhne Politics House of Commons UK news Science The Guardian Source Type: news

Jargon is spreading like nits in the coalition's playground | Zoe Williams
In David Cameron's brave new horizon-shifting world, targets are milestones and euphemism is policy. The West Wing it isn'tI would never begrudge governments their fancy new words. They need an idioglossia, it's part of how they know they are in power (especially now taxis aren't allowed). Cameron's new lexicon is drab, but so was New Labour's – if a politician uses an unfamiliar word that illuminates, adds texture or dimension, says something that couldn't be covered by regular words, you must be watching The West Wing.But in a spirit of patient understanding rather than attack, why do they do it? Either it's a diversio...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - November 11, 2010 Category: Science Authors: Zoe Williams Tags: Liberal-Conservative coalition Language David Cameron Andrew Lansley Politics UK news The Guardian Comment Comment is free Source Type: news

National Pathology Week 1-7 November, UK
The Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) have called for more laboratory test results to be made directly available to patients. To launch National Pathology Week 2010 (1-7 November), both Colleges have agreed this stance. Laboratory test results are currently delivered to the health service professional who requested the test, who then interprets the results and their implications before discussing the result with the patient. Both Colleges agree some laboratory test results should be sent directly to patients... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - November 2, 2010 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Primary Care / General Practice Source Type: news

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Named Publisher Of The Journal Pathology
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW), part of Wolters Kluwer Health, announced today that it has signed an agreement to serve as exclusive publisher of Pathology effective January 1, 2011. The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA), which produces Pathology, is responsible for the training and professional development of pathologists and for the promotion of the science and practice of pathology... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - October 27, 2010 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Public Health Source Type: news

New UK guidelines highlight role of testosterone in sexual disorders
Source: Maturitas Area: News New guidelines for the assessment of testosterone deficiency in both men and women have been developed by the British Society for Sexual Medicine in collaboration with a number of other organisations, including the British Menopause Society, the Royal College of Physicians, the Royal College of Pathologists, and the Society for Endocrinology. The guidelines look at the following topics: 1) Women . Physiology, laboratory measurements . Classification and epidemiology of sexual problems . Risk factors (hormonal and non-hormonal) . Assessment of f...
Source: NeLM - News - September 27, 2010 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news

College Of American Pathologists Forges Agreement On Cancer Protocol Development With Canadian And Australasian Associations
The College of American Pathologists (CAP) recently signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Canadian Association of Pathologists (CAP-ACP) and the Royal College of Pathologists Australasia (RCPA), forging a collaboration in the development of cancer datasets, also called protocols. The CAP Cancer Protocols are designed as a guideline for definitive cancer reporting. This collaboration agreement not only allows pathologists from many different countries to participate actively in developing cancer protocols, but also helps better define staging parameters for cancer specimens... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - September 13, 2010 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Cancer / Oncology Source Type: news

You too can be a medical* practitioner | Julia Wilson
Simply register with the School of Old Wives' Traditional Medicine and we'll give you a big impressive certificate*no medical training requiredDo you remember the traditional way to treat burns? Or what would happen to your face if the wind changed? If you think you can answer these questions, why not become a registered practitioner of Old Wives' Traditional Medicine?Tomorrow at 11.30am outside the Department of Health in London, a new professional registration scheme for practitioners in the medical tradition of Old Wives' Tales will be launched. A group of junior medics and scientists from the Voice of Young Science (Vo...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - September 7, 2010 Category: Science Tags: Controversies in science Alternative medicine Homeopathy Regulators Health policy Doctors Society Science policy guardian.co.uk Blogposts Source Type: news

Abolition Of The Human Tissue Authority
The Royal College of Pathologists welcomes the decision announced in the Report of the Arm's Length Body Review to abolish the Human Tissue Authority. This is a sensible economy. Professor Peter Furness, President of the Royal College of Pathologists said: "The College fully recognises the need for a regulatory framework, but we have long argued that the current system is disproportionate and extends its demands beyond the areas envisaged when the Human Tissue Authority was planned. The Codes of Practice issued by the Authority now run to over 1,000 pages... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - July 28, 2010 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Public Health Source Type: news

Breast fine needle aspiration cytology: a review of current practice in Australasia
Conclusions: Breast FNA cytology is still actively undertaken in Australasia, but numbers have declined. Unsatisfactory rates have reached the Australian recommended upper limit and are inversely proportional to the total number of cases received. Overall QC measures are unchanged and consideration of a review of breast FNA guidelines is suggested. (Source: Cytopathology)
Source: Cytopathology - July 17, 2010 Category: Pathology Authors: M. C. Cummings, B. A. Waters, P. K. O'Rourke Source Type: research

An investigation of adequate volume for the diagnosis of malignancy in pleural fluids
Conclusion: Between 25 and 50 ml of fluid are required for the adequate assessment of pleural effusions for malignancy. (Source: Cytopathology)
Source: Cytopathology - July 15, 2010 Category: Pathology Authors: S. C. Thomas, L. R. R. Davidson, M. E. McKean Source Type: research

'Allergy services still not meeting the unmet need': Joint report of RCP and RCPath Working Party (June 2010)
This report from a joint working party of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath), supported by the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) provides an update on changes to allergy service provision following the 2007 report of the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee's inquiry into allergy. The report stresses that services like allergy, which have been chronically under-resourced and under-supplied in the UK compared with the rest of Europe, are especially vulnerable and must be protected in this current economic climate. It recommends tha...
Source: NeLM - News - June 23, 2010 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news

Tobacco Advisory Group Of Royal College Of Physicians Report - Passive Smoking And Children
Professor Peter Furness, President of the Royal College of Pathologists commenting on the Tobacco Advisory Group of Royal College of Physicians report, Passive Smoking and Children, said: The Royal College of Pathologists fully endorses this report. The prevalence of diseases - such as asthma - in children exposed to passive smoking is of great concern... (Source: Pediatrics News From Medical News Today)
Source: Pediatrics News From Medical News Today - March 24, 2010 Category: Pediatrics Tags: Smoking / Quit Smoking Source Type: news

Tobacco Advisory Group Of Royal College Of Physicians Report - Passive Smoking And Children
Professor Peter Furness, President of the Royal College of Pathologists commenting on the Tobacco Advisory Group of Royal College of Physicians report, Passive Smoking and Children, said: The Royal College of Pathologists fully endorses this report. The prevalence of diseases - such as asthma - in children exposed to passive smoking is of great concern. As a College we are committed to working with our fellow health professionals and others to ensure the recommendations in this report are implemented... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - March 24, 2010 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Smoking / Quit Smoking Source Type: news

Pilot quality assurance programme for plasma metanephrines
Conclusions Differences in calibration and matrix effects are likely to have been responsible for the discrepancy between chromatographic and immunoassay methods. These differences need to be further examined although efforts at standardization between different methods have been hampered by the lack of a universal calibrator for plasma metanephrines. Meanwhile, a laboratory's performance characteristics can be monitored and enhanced by participation in suitable external quality assurance programmes. (Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry)
Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry - March 2, 2010 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Pillai, D., Callen, S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Investigations from External Quality Assurance Programs Reveal a High Degree of Variation in the Laboratory Identification of Coagulation Factor Inhibitors
This article reviews each of these elements, largely from the perspective of cross-laboratory studies undertaken within the framework of external quality assurance (EQA), a peer-laboratory process that aims to assess the ongoing performance of groups of similar laboratories. This review details the experience of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Haematology Quality Assurance Program, and it also reflects on the experience of other EQA organizations. Our analysis reveals a wide variety of test practice among inhibitor testing laboratories, a wide variation in detected inhibitor levels in cross-tested samples,...
Source: Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis - February 19, 2010 Category: Hematology Source Type: research