Pathologists Gather to Focus on Advances in Molecular Testing, Digital Imaging, and Biospecimens

Physicians Kickoff Celebration of 50 Years of Caring For Patients through the College of American Pathologists Laboratory Accreditation Program at CAP '11—THE PATHOLOGISTS' MEETING™, Sept. 11-14 in Dallas

NORTHFIELD, Ill., Aug. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The latest developments in molecular diagnostics, personalized medicine, and genetics testing will be featured topics when more than 1,000 pathologists gather at the Gaylord Texan on September 11 – 14 for the annual scientific meeting of the College of American Pathologists (CAP). CAP '11 – THE Pathologists' Meeting™ will highlight advances in digital imaging related to laboratory medicine with a special focus on hematopathology and dermatopathology. It also marks the launch of the yearlong celebration of the gold standard CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program's 50th anniversary.

"Health care is in a rapid state of transformation where new advances in genomics, personalize medicine, and molecular diagnostics are at the forefront," said CAP President Stephen N. Bauer, MD, FCAP.  "This year's annual meeting offers pathologists the opportunity to learn the latest in diagnostics procedures, including digital imaging.  It's also a time to celebrate the collaboration and commitment to quality that pathologists bring to patient care through the CAP's global Laboratory Accreditation Program, as well as a look to the future to the continued delivery of excellence in patient care."

The CAP has released a list of its CAP '11 "Hot Topics" at www.cap.org/CAP11.  Among the highlights are these education sessions:

• The Critical Role of Biospecimens in Personalized Health Care
• Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection for Melanoma: Is the Standard of Care Ahead of the Evidence?
• Molecular Hematopathology in the Era of Personalized Medicine
• An Integrated Approach to the Clinical, Morphologic, Cytogenetic, and Molecular Findings in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Abstracts Program Showcases Junior CAP Members' Original Research
As part of the CAP '11 Abstract Program, five CAP physician residents will receive special recognition for outstanding original research. Editors from the Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine evaluated the submissions.  This year's winning abstracts cover scientific topics ranging from the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children to the evaluation of lesions in patients with cutaneous melanoma.

CAP Will Honor Dallas High School Students for Excellence in Science
Additionally, the CAP is honoring six of the best and brightest high school science students in Dallas 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 '11. In addition, they will have the opportunity to tour the CAP '11 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 54th Beal Bank Dallas Regional Science and Engineering Fair in February 2011, were judged for excellence in five areas: creativity, scientific thought, attention to detail, skill, and clarity.

The College of American Pathologists (CAP), celebrating 50 years as the gold standard in laboratory accreditation, is a medical society serving more than 17,000 physician members and the global laboratory community. It is the world's largest association composed exclusively of board-certified pathologists and is the worldwide leader in laboratory quality assurance. The College advocates accountable, high-quality, and cost-effective patient care.

SOURCE College of American Pathologists