Module information
Module details
- Title
- Malignant Dissection
- Type
- Specialist
- Module code
- S-H-S3
- Credits
- 10
- Phase
- 3
- Requirement
- Compulsory
Aim of this module
The aim of this module is to develop the practical skills and theoretical understanding to dissect the most common malignant histological specimens from a range of human organ systems under supervision, to provide diagnostic and prognostic information for clinicians managing patient care.
Work-based content
Training activities
| # | Learning outcome | Training activity | Type | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # 1 | Learning outcome 1,5 |
Training activities
Triage malignant requests considering the clinical history and local laboratory policies |
Type ETA | Action View |
| # 2 | Learning outcome 1,5 |
Training activities
Review suitability and appropriateness of the malignant patient sample type for requests, considering the clinical history |
Type ETA | Action View |
| # 3 | Learning outcome 2,3,5 |
Training activities
Prepare malignant resection specimens for specimen dissection |
Type ETA | Action View |
| # 4 | Learning outcome 2,3,5 |
Training activities
Dissect a range of skin specimens received for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and/or malignant melanoma:
|
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 5 | Learning outcome 2,3,5 |
Training activities
Dissect a range of gastrointestinal specimens received for colorectal cancer:
|
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 6 | Learning outcome 2,3,5 |
Training activities
Dissect a range of gynaecological specimens received for endometrial and/or ovarian cancer:
|
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 7 | Learning outcome 2,3,5 |
Training activities
Dissect a range of breast specimens received for breast cancer:
|
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 8 | Learning outcome 2,3,5 |
Training activities
Dissect a range of urological specimens received for prostate, bladder, renal and/or testicular cancer, including at least two of the following:
|
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 9 | Learning outcome 4,5 |
Training activities
With supervision from a reporting consultant, write a draft histological report for a resection, for the following pathologies:
|
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 10 | Learning outcome 4,5 |
Training activities
With supervision from a reporting consultant, request and interpret appropriate immunohistochemical and molecular tests, used in the diagnosis of:
|
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 11 | Learning outcome 4,5 |
Training activities
Review a dissected malignant case with a Reporting Consultant discussing how macroscopic description and block selection impacts on final microscopic diagnosis |
Type DTA | Action View |
Assessments
Complete 2 Case-Based Discussions
Complete 2 DOPS or OCEs
Direct Observation of Practical Skills Titles
- Orientate, ink and dissect a malignant specimen under supervision.
- Dictate block taking for a malignant specimen and explain the rationale behind block selection.
- Dictate description of a malignant specimen being dissected.
- Review a clinical history and determine the appropriate dissection rationale for a malignant specimen.
Observed Communication Event Titles
- Discuss/provide an overview of case(s) to be presented at a multidisciplinary team meeting.
- Explain annotated macro/micro images to another member of the multidisciplinary team.
Learning outcomes
| # | Learning outcome |
|---|---|
| 1 | Triage specimens and interpret clinical request forms to assess clinical urgency and suitability for dissection. |
| 2 | Dissect the most common malignant specimens from a range of organ systems. |
| 3 | Employ the appropriate specimen preparation, orientation, inking, block sampling and dissection rationale based on the clinical history for malignant specimens. |
| 4 | Summarise the macroscopic features and block sampling for accurate microscopic assessment malignant specimens. |
| 5 | Practice safely in accordance with quality management and accreditation standards. |
Clinical experiences
Clinical experiences help you to develop insight into your practice and a greater understanding of your specialty's impact on patient care. Clinical experiences should be included in your training plan and you may be asked to help organise your experiences. Reflections and observations from your experiences may help you to advance your practice and can be used to develop evidence to demonstrate your awareness and appreciation of your specialty.
Activities
- Attend a multidisciplinary team meeting dealing with a case that you have dissected, to appreciate the role of histopathology in patient management.
- Attend a clinic dealing with cases that you may subsequently dissect, to appreciate the patient experience of their care.
- Attend a relevant surgery dealing with resections that you may subsequently dissect, to appreciate involvement of other members of the multidisciplinary team in the patient pathway.
Academic content (MSc in Clinical Science)
Important information
The academic parts of this module will be detailed and communicated to you by your university. Please contact them if you have questions regarding this module and its assessments. The module titles in your MSc may not be exactly identical to the work-based modules shown in the e-portfolio. Your modules will be aligned, however, to ensure that your academic and work-based learning are complimentary.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module the trainee will be able to:
- Evaluate the mechanisms and microscopic appearance of malignant tissue pathologies and discuss the specific processes of dysplasia, metastasis and angiogenesis.
- Critically analyse the role of the cellular pathology report as part of the decision-making process in guiding diagnosis, management and clinical outcomes in cancer.
- Discuss the range of additional tests used in cellular pathology in the diagnosis, staging/grading and prognostication of malignant disease.
Indicative content
- Pathogenesis of pre-cancer and cancer and the relationship of the two.
- Pathogenesis and molecular pathology of a range of cancers from gynaecological, skin, breast and urological organ systems.
- National guidance, e.g. NICE guidance and RCPath guidance.
- Principles of dissection of malignant specimens.
- Use of additional tests to diagnose, grade/stage and provide prognostic information for cancers, e.g. tinctorial, IHC and molecular.
- Treatments for a range of cancers from gastrointestinal, gynaecological, skin, breast and urological organ systems, including traditional and targeted therapies.
- Research/trials for a range of cancers from gastrointestinal, gynaecological, skin, breast and urological organ systems.