Advances In Cancer, Molecular Diagnostics, And Testing Guidelines for Patients Take Center Stage At CAP '13: Oct. 13-16

Annual Scientific Meeting of the College of American Pathologists Gives Special Attention to Obesity-Related Diseases

NORTHFIELD, Ill., Oct. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New science in cancer and molecular diagnostics, as well as updated testing guidelines for patients will be featured topics when more than 1,100 pathologists gather at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando, Fla., October 13-16, 2013, for the annual scientific meeting of the College of American Pathologists (CAP).

"As the nation moves to value-based health care, the role of the pathologists becomes increasingly more important to ensure the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective laboratory testing and patient care," said CAP President Stanley J. Robboy, MD, FCAP.  "We designed the CAP's annual meeting to provide the latest advancements in laboratory medicine delivered by the nations' leading experts to ensure pathologists are prepared to deliver new services and assume new roles on the patient care team, today as well as tomorrow."

CAP '13 – THE Pathologists' Meeting™ will highlight a special endocrine pathology track, including a scientific plenary on the metabolic syndrome. The disease is a cluster of conditions related to obesity-related health issues, such as diabetes and heart disease. With more than a third of US adults obese, this timely topic will address the pathologist's role in diagnosis and patient management.

Additional "hot topics" include the following education sessions:

• Advanced Testing in Colorectal Cancers: MSI, KRAS, BRAF, and Beyond
• Next-Generation Sequencing for Inherited Diseases
• Molecular Hematopathology in the Era of Personalized Medicine
• Optimizing Laboratory Test Utilization: The Pathologist's Expanding Role
• Beyond Single Gene Analysis: Paving the Way to Comprehensive Tumor Genomic Profiling
• ASCO/CAP HER2 Guideline Revision: What's New?

Abstract Program Showcases Original Research from CAP Junior Members

As part of the CAP '13 Abstract Program, five CAP Junior Members will receive special recognition for outstanding original research. Editors from Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine (Archives) evaluated the submissions.  This year's program features more than 630 abstract and case study poster presentations representing the largest number of posters ever presented at a CAP annual meeting. Topics range from the study of EGFR mutations/deletions in Hispanic patients with advanced lung cancer to the detection of high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) in women older than 40.  The abstracts have been published in the October issue of Archives and are available online.

CAP Will Honor Orlando School Students for Excellence in Science

Additionally, the CAP is honoring six of the best and brightest high school science students from Orlando through its "Path to the Future in Medicine" program.  As part of this program, the students are invited to display their winning projects at CAP '13. In addition, they will have the opportunity to tour the CAP '13 meeting and discuss possible careers in medicine and science, as well as general science issues, with leaders in pathology.

The students, who competed at the 2013 Dr. Nelson Ying Science Exposition in February, were judged for excellence in five areas: creativity, scientific thought, attention to detail, skill, and clarity.

About Pathologists

Pathologists are physicians who use laboratory medicine and technology to identify and diagnose disease. They work with primary care physicians and others on the patient care team to guide treatment plans. In fact, more than 70 percent of all decisions about diagnosis, treatment, hospital admission, and discharge rest on the pathologist's report.

About the College of American Pathologists

As the leading organization for board-certified pathologists, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. With more than 18,000 physician members, the CAP has led laboratory accreditation for more than 50 years with more than 7,500 CAP-accredited laboratories in 50 countries. Find more information about the CAP at cap.org. Follow CAP on Twitter: @pathologists.

SOURCE College of American Pathologists