Thyroid Diagnosis – Can Be Tricky Business
A recent Wall Street Journal article, titled “What if the Doctor is Wrong?,” reported the story of a woman who requested a second opinion after receiving a diagnosis of probable ovarian cancer. In the article, the patient presented with multiple tumors in her pelvis, abdomen and spine. When her initial biopsy came back with inconclusive results, clinicians felt that she had ovarian cancer and should be treated with a hysterectomy. The patient decided to postpone surgery and get a second opinion. During the course of the second opinion, a second biopsy was performed which determined that in fact she had a rare form of lymphoma, which can be difficult to diagnose.
InCyte Pathologist in 2012 Top Dentists List
Robert Achterberg, D.D.S., M.S. was recently selected by his peers for inclusion in topDENTISTS 2012 in the field of Oral Pathology. Dr. Achterberg joined InCyte Pathology in 2003 and is currently the Oral & Maxillofacial Pathologist at InCyte Pathology. He is board certified in both oral medicine and maxillofacial pathology and is a past member of the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs and the Washington Dental Quality Assurance Commission. Dr. Achterberg has been listed in topDentists since 2009.
The Molecular Pap: E6 and E7 Hold Promise for Cervical Cancer Screening
Molecular testing offers great promise in detecting cellular abnormalities in women whose DNA has been transformed and, therefore, in identifying women at greatest risk of having or developing cervical cancer. How might a new molecular test for E6, E7 affect current cervical cancer screening strategies?
Currently, our basic strategies for cervical cancer screening can be summarized as follows:
- Exclude CIN 2-3 (HSIL)
- Determine the risk
- Rule out invasion
- Establish the next screening interval
InCyte Pathologist Receives CAP Certificates of Recognition
David C. Hoak, M.D.
InCyte Pathology’s Laboratory Medical Director, David C. Hoak, M.D., recently received the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Laboratory Medical Director Advanced Practical Pathology Program, as well as the Breast Predictive Factors Testing (BPFT)Advanced Practical Pathology Program Certificate of Recognition. The BPFT program was designed specifically for pathologists with intermediate or higher skill level in breast predictive factors testing. This selective training program covers the accurate performance and interpretation of breast cancer predictive factors in accordance with the guidelines of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP).
ASC-US vs. ASC-H? What is the difference?
HISTORY
The current nomenclature now used to report Pap findings in the United States began with a meeting of a small group of experts in December of 1988 in Bethesda, Maryland. The results of this conference were termed the 1988 Bethesda System (TBS). Of all the TBS changes that were introduced by this conference, none was as problematic and controversial as “atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance” or “ASC-US”.
InCyte Pathology Supports 2011 Race for the Cure in Coeur d’Alene
This Fall, InCyte Pathology employees fielded a team of 53 participants to support the 2011 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. This community event raises funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship, and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease. Team InCyte was fourth in the company division for number of registrants.
Use of E-Cadherin and p120ctn IHC for Breast Carcinoma
David C. Hoak, M.D.
Invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast is the most common type of breast cancer. Approximately 55% of patients will develop this form of breast cancer. Invasive lobular carcinoma is less common with only about 10% of breast cancer patients diagnosed with this type of cancer. These two tumor subtypes are distinguished on the basis of their histology. Ductal tumors arise from the milk ducts and tend to form glandular structures, while lobular tumors arise from the breast lobules where breast milk is made during lactation. The cancer cells of invasive lobular carcinoma are less cohesive and tend to invade tissue as single cells. Lobular tumors are often slower growing than ductal tumors, more often estrogen and progesterone receptor positive and the tumor is more frequently larger in size than suspected clinically.
PAS Stain: A Sensitive Test for Diagnosis of Onychomycosis
Dr. Felix Martinez, Jr.
The PAS stain is a special histological technique utilized by most pathology laboratories for routine diagnostic purposes. Its utility in podiatric medicine is well established, with the primary application being the identification of fungal elements in toenails, skin, and deep tissues. Other techniques using microscopy available for fungal identification in toenails/fingernails include the potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation, a technique requiring immediate evaluation after scraping. Although culture was long considered the gold standard, the PAS stain has been shown to be a sensitive method for the diagnosis of onychomycosis.
Patient Centered Care is a Shared Responsibility
Tom Rehwald, CFO
Making a patient’s visit to the doctor’s office as painless as possible is one thing we strive for as healthcare professionals. At InCyte Pathology, our in-house billing department can sense the frustration felt by patients, when they call to find out why they received a bill for pathology lab services that should have been covered by their insurance. It is an unwelcomed hassle for patients to contact their insurance companies in order to find out what the problem is with their claim. Understanding the complicated medical terminology and navigating automated phone trees at an insurance company can be a daunting task.
David C. Hoak, M.D.
Prior to a patient beginning lung cancer treatment, it is important for an experienced lung cancer pathologist to review each case. This is a critical step because small cell lung cancer responds well to chemotherapy, is generally not treated surgically and can be confused with non-small cell carcinoma on initial microscopic examination. In addition, the response to certain drug regimens in patients with non-small cell carcinoma (NSCLC) with adenocarcinoma is different from squamous cell carcinoma patient response.
