PATHOLOGICAL ANATOMY
cod. 14377

Academic year 2012/13
4° year of course - First semester
Professor
Academic discipline
Anatomia patologica (MED/08)
Field
Medicina di laboratorio e diagnostica integrata
Type of training activity
Characterising
7 hours
of face-to-face activities
1 credits
hub: -
course unit
in - - -

Integrated course unit module: BLOOD

Learning objectives

The Surgical Pathology Module is part of the Integrated Course in Hematology, Infectious Diseases and Oncology.
The Module aims to provide basic notions on nomenclature, etiology, physio-pathology and anatomical bases of hemo-lympho-proliferative disease in particular disease of the lymphatic organs. The acquired knowledge will enable the student to approach the differential diagnosis and therapy of leukemias and lymphomas.
The student will be asked to integrate the notions provided by the course with previous knowledge in anatomy, physiology and general pathology to the understanding of:
• nomenclature and classification criteria of hemo-lympho-proliferative disorders;
• WHO classification of lymphatic neoplasia;
• differential diagnosis of lymphoadenitis and lymphomas;
• causes, molecular basis, pathological features and clinical correlations of main diseases;
• understand the biological basis of modern antitumoral therapy.
At the end of the course, the student will be able to integrate knowledge provided by other modules of the same course to:
• communicate appropriately with professionals of other disciplines;
• approach correctly the diagnosis of lympoadenomegaly and splenomegaly;
• approach correctly the diagnosis of mediastinal masses;
• give appropriate indications to perform lymphonode and bone marrow biopsies;
• identify and interpret clinical courses and complications of the different disorders;
• design a correct assistance plan.

Prerequisites

Basic notions of anatomy, physiology and general pathology.

Course unit content

The lessons will treat selected issues in hemo-lympho-pathology and their clinical correlations. Emphasis will be given to the relevance of the tissue approach to the study of diseases and to the clinical use of lymphnode and bone marrow biopsy.
Generalities on nomenclature and classification will first be provided. A systematic discussion of lymphoadenitis/lymphoadenopathies will follow and their differential diagnosis with lymphomas. Tumors of lymphatic tissues, spleen and thymus will be examined in detail with etio-pathogenetic and clinical correlations. Finally, indications, techniques and concepts of histo-pathological interpretation of bone marrow biopsies will be discussed.

Full programme

• Basic concepts of histopathological classification and nomenclature of hemo-lympho-proliferative diseases.
• Generalities on myelo-proliferative disorders.
• WHO classification of leukemias and lmphomas.
• Role of immunostains and molecular analysis techniques in the diagnosis and classification of leukemias and lymphomas.
• Lymphoadenitis and lymphoadenopathies.
• Differential diagnosis of lymphomas and lymphoadenitis/adnopathies.
• Molecular basis of leukemias and lymphomas.
• Leukemias and lymphomas of B and T precursor cells.
• Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Mature B cell lymphomas.
• Mature T cell lymphomas.
• Plasmacell proliferations.
• Splenomegaly.
• Tumors of the spleen.
• Pathology of mediastinum.
• Thymomas and other tumors of the thymus.
• Thymic hyperplasia and myastenia gravis.
• Bone marrow biopsy: indications, techniques and basic concepts of histo-pathological interpretation.

Bibliography

Robbins & Cotran, Pathologic basis of diseases, Elsevier, 8° Ed. (specific chapters).
Rubin, Pathology, Mosby 2006 (specific chapters).

Teaching methods

Lessons and seminars will be given during the course. Texts, diagrams, clinical examples and a rich apparatus of gross and microscopic images the student will be used to guide the student into the understanding of the different clinic-pathological entities.

Assessment methods and criteria

An oral interview will be used to assess the reaching of learning targets. Questions will be aimed to assess knowledge and understanding of basic notions and the ability to translate this information into appropriate actions and behaviors in the relevant clinical situations.
The results of the examination will contribute to the final evaluation of the integrated course.

Other information

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