Scientific Program

Course Program

Updated October 3, 2024

Thursday October 10, 2024
TimeTitleSpeakerObjectivesLocation
0730-0900RegistrationKC 100 Galleria South, Kinnear Centre, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
0745-0845Full BreakfastKC 103-105
0845-0850Opening remarksDr. Dylan Pillai & Dr. Ben AdamKC 201-203
0850-0900Introduction to the DayDr. Julinor Bacani &
Dr. Steve Gorombey
KC 201-203
0900-1000Thyroid nodule imaging: ultrasound, diagnostic correlations, and TIRADS classificationDr. Adrian Sim“1. Review of basic ultrasound principles pertinent to thyroid imaging.
An overview of the American College of Radiology (ACR) TIRADS classification for thyroid imaging.
To review appropriate management of thyroid nodules based on the ACR TIRADS score.”
KC 201-203
1000-1100Thyroid cytology: The Bethesda System, molecular testing, and other essentials for the practicing pathologistDr. William C. Faquin1. Know that The 3rd Edition of the Bethesda System for Thyroid Cytopathology has eliminated the indeterminate category known as FLUS and that the Category III of the Bethesda System for Thyroid Cytopathology is limited to AUS.
2. Understand how Molecular testing can be very helpful for patient management in patients with indeterminate thyroid FNA results.
3. Understand  how the predominant cytoarchitectural pattern is very useful for classifying thyroid FNA specimens using the Thyroid Bethesda System.
KC 201-203
1100-1115Coffee BreakKC 200 Galleria South
1115-1215Essential
elements of malignant thyroid pathology reporting  (AKA how to please your endocrinologist!)
Dr. Sana Ghaznavi“1. Recognize the pathologic features that determine DTC risk stratification and subsequent extent of surgery
Recognize the pathologic features that determine DTC risk stratification and subsequent radioactive iodine
Understand the role of pathology in integration of intraoperative and histological findings to determine the AJCC/TNM stage”
KC 201-203
1215-1315Lunch BreakKC 103-105
1315-1415Case presentations (4 cases, 15 min each)Dr. Tian Zhu Lu: Cribriform Morular Thyroid Carcinoma, Cytomorphology


Dr. Daniel Finlaison: Special Considerations in the Management of Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinomas of the Lung


Dr. Shubham Shan: They’re not like us!: What to do when it’s not papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)?

Dr. David Twa: Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors: a diagnosis of exclusion
Dr. Tian Zhu Lu Objective: When encountering a suspected case of Cribriform Morular Thyroid Carcinoma, the learner should be able to order appropriate ancillary tests and correctly interpret the results.

Dr. Daniel Finlaison Objective: To examine the rationale for biomarker testing in non-squamous non-small cell carcinomas of the lung

Dr. Shubham Shan
Objective: Appreciate and identify a few clinical examples of metastases in thyroid cytology specimens through patient case presentation

Dr. David Twa
Objective: The learner will recognize the importance of Ki67 and mitotic count in grading neuroendocrine tumors (including the appropriate notation), that NETs are cytokeratin positive and that there is no pathognomonic staining pattern for a hepatic cell of origin.
KC 201-203
1415-1515Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) – classifications and updatesDr. Andrew Belizzi1. Apply the WHO 2019 GI “Blue Book” neuroendocrine classification to GEP NENs
2. Compare and contrast the GEP-NEN and WHO 2021 Lung NEN classifications
3. Understand GEP NEN-relevant updates in the WHO 2022 Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Tumour “Blue Book”, including new terminology for small pancreatic neuroendocrine lesions (ie, neuroendocrine microtumour) and erstwhile gangliocytic paraganglioma (composite gangliocytoma/neuroma and neuroendocrine tumour; CoGNET)
4. Understand clinically meaningful updates in the etiologic classification of gastric NETs, especially the emerging recognition of PPI-associated tumours
5. Gain insight into NET site-specific frequent clinical/diagnostic conundrums   
KC 201-203
1515-1530Coffee BreakKC 200 Galleria South
1530-1630Utilization of immunohistochemistry in endocrine pathology – practical approachesDr. Andrew Belizzi1. Understand the role of general neuroendocrine marker immunohistochemistry in tumour diagnosis, including the specific strengths and limitations of synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and INSM1
2. Apply a panel of immunostains to determine neuroendocrine tumour (NET) site of origin
3. Apply a panel of immunostains to determine neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) site of origin
4. Apply a panel of immunostains to adjudicate the differential diagnosis of NET G3 vs NEC 
KC 201-203
1630-1730ThyroSPEC: Update in AlbertaDr. Adrian Box & Dr. Ralf Paschke1. Attendees will know the indications for using Thyrospec testing to assist in the management of  indeterminant thyroid nodules sampled by fine needle aspiration.
2. Attendees will become familiar with the concept of residual risk of malignancy (ROM) and how to interpret Thyrospec reports to address ROM.
3. Attendees will become familiar with the utilization of Thyrospec and clinical aspects of thyroid nodule malignancy risk assessment in Calgary.
KC 201-203
1730-1745Break
***Note: Meals included breakfast, lunch and two coffee breaks
Friday October 11, 2024
TimeTitleSpeakerObjectivesLocation
0730-900RegistrationKC 100 Galleria South, Kinnear Centre, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
0745-0855Full BreakfastKC 103-105
0855-0900Introduction to the DayDr. Julinor Bacani &
Dr. Steve Gorombey
KC 201-203
0900-1000Neuroendocrine neoplasms – diagnostic dilemmas and tools for grading; Mixed neruoendocrine non-neuroendocrine neoplasms (MiNEN) and high-grade tumours with neuroendocrine differentiation (NET vs. NEC. vs. Adenocarcinoma)Dr. Andrew Belizzi1. Understand the biologic function of Ki-67, how it is expressed throughout the cell cycle, and how that could influence the quality of immunostaining
2. Understand the potential sources of variation in the grade a patient’s neuroendocrine tumour (e.g., between laboratories), including the role of IHC technique, readout, and spatial and temporal heterogeneity
3. Apply an outcomes-centric approach to selection of blocks for Ki-67 staining in NET-resections
4. Compare and contrast the WHO GI 2010 and 2019 and the Endocrine/Neuroendocrine Blue Book definitions of neoplasms composed of mixed neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine components
5. Define differentiation, high-grade transformation, grade progression, divergent differentiation, and transdifferentiation and understand how they apply to high-grade and mixed tumours
6. Apply a morphology, epidemiology, and molecular genetic (including IHC surrogates) approach to the differential diagnosis of high-grade carcinomas of ambiguous lineage 
KC 201-203
1000-1100Updates on NIFTP and other follicular-patterned thyroid neoplasmsDr. William C. Faquin“1. Know the most common gene mutations associated with NIFTP
Understand that the entire capsule of a thyroid lesion diagnosed as NIFTP should be examined microscopically to exclude invasion.
Know that the biologic behavior of NIFTP is similar to follicular adenoma.”
KC 201-203
1100-1115Coffee BreakKC 200 Galleria South
1115-1215Parathyroid pathology – updates, nomenclature, practical approaches and diagnostic dilemmasDr. Anthony Gill“1. Understand the new concept of atypical parathyroid adenoma/tumour
Understand the pathological criteria for parathyroid carcinoma
Understand the hereditary basis of parathyroid carcinoma
Understand ‘new entities’ including Lipoadenoma
Understand the morphological features of tertiary hyperplasia in the setting of chronic renal failure and how these may mimic malignancy”
KC 201-203
1215-1345Lunch BreakKC 103-105
1400-1500Lung neuroendocrine tumour nomenclatureDr. Sebastiao Martins1. Summarize key pathological and genomic features of neuroendocrine neoplasms of the lung.
2. Explain differences in nomenclature for small biopsies versus resection specimens, including implications for diagnosis and treatment.
3. Compare and contrast the nomenclature of lung neuroendocrine tumours with that of neuroendocrine tumours in other organ systems, emphasizing areas of overlap and the importance of consistency in a pathology report.
4. Describe the process of neuroendocrine transformation in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and its significance for diagnosis and treatment strategies.
5. Discuss how precise nomenclature influences the clinical management of lung tumours, including implications for treatment and prognosis.
6. Provide case studies that illustrate the practical implications of accurate nomenclature in the diagnosis and treatment of lung neuroendocrine tumours.
KC 201-203
1500-1515Coffee BreakKC 200 Galleria South
1515-1615Current
Concepts in Thyroid Molecular Pathology and Diagnostics
Dr. Remegio Maglantay“1. List the molecular alterations in common follicular and non-follicular derived thyroid neoplasms;
Identify molecular markers for targeted therapy in thyroid cancer;
Enumerate the different approaches to molecular diagnosis of thyroid nodules;
Identify pre- and post-analytical factors that are essential in the proper interpretation of molecular test results”
KC 201-203
1615-1715Overview of endocrine hereditary/genetic syndromesDr. Anthony Gill“1. Understand the mechanisms and tissue manifestations of DICER1 syndrome
Understand the concept of SDH deficient neoplasia in paraganglioma, pituitary adenoma, GIST and renal carcinoma
Be familiar with MEN1, MEN2, MEN4, MEN5 syndromes
Be familiar with Glucagon Cell Hyperplasia and Neoplasia syndrome”
KC 201-203
***Note: Meals included breakfast, lunch and two coffee breaks
Saturday October 12, 2024
TimeTitleSpeakerObjectivesLocation
0730-900RegistrationKC 100 Galleria South, Kinnear Centre, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
0745-0855Full BreakfastKC 103-105
0855-0900Introduction to the dayDr. Julinor Bacani &
Dr. Steve Gorombey
0900-1000Adrenocortical nodules: updates and practical tools to diagnostic work-upDr. Martin Hyrcza“1. To highlight the importance of the examination of the background adrenal cortex in the diagnosis of cortical lesions.
To review the spectrum of aldosterone-producing lesions and the new HISTALDO classification.
To review the indications for the use of CYP11B2 immunohistochemistry.”
1000-1100Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma – updates, diagnostic approaches, and reporting recommendationsDr. Anthony Gill“1. Understand the strongly hereditary basis of phaeochromocytoma / paraganglioma
Understand the concepts of risk and malignancy in phaeochromocytoma / paraganglioma
Understand the differences between cauda equina NET and classical paraganglioma
Understand the differences between CoGNET and classical paraganglioma”
1100-1115Coffee BreakKC 200 Galleria South
1115-1215Medullary thyroid carcinoma and other uncommon thyroid neoplasmsDr. William C. Faquin“1. Know the most common molecular alteration in medullary thyroid carcinomas is a mutation of the RET gene.
Know that C-cell hyperplasia is a histologic feature associated with inherited forms of medullary thyroid carcinoma.
Understand that the gene fusion ETV6::NTRK is characteristic of secretory carcinomas and may allow targeted therapy”
1215-1230Closing Remarks
***Note: Meals included breakfast, lunch and two coffee breaks

Dr. Andrew Bellizzi

  1. Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) – classifications and updates
  2. Utilization of immunohistochemistry in endocrine pathology – practical approaches
  3. Neuroendocrine neoplasms – diagnostic dilemmas and tools for grading
  4. Mixed neuroendocrine non-neuroendocrine neoplasms (MiNEN) and high-grade tumours with neuroendocrine differentiation (NET vs. NEC vs. Adenocarcinoma)
  5. Participation and discussion of case presentations

Dr. Bill Faquin

  1. Updates on NIFTP and other follicular- patterned thyroid neoplasms
  2. Medullary thyroid carcinoma and other uncommon thyroid neoplasms
  3. Thyroid cytology: The Bethesda System, molecular testing, and other essentials for the practicing pathologist
  4. Participation and discussion of case presentations

Dr. Anthony Gill

  1. Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma – updates, diagnostic approaches, and reporting recommendations
  2. Overview of endocrine hereditary/genetic syndromes
  3. Parathyroid pathology – updates, nomenclature, practical approaches and diagnostic dilemmas
  4. Participation and discussion of case presentations

Invited local guest speakers:

  • Dr. Remegio Maglantay
  • Dr. Adrian Sim
  • Dr. Sebastiao Martins
  • Drs. Adrian Box and Ralf Paschke
  • Dr. Sana Ghaznavi
  • Dr. Martin Hyrcza

Case presentations Trainees/Faculty:

  • Endocrine pathology case presentations (4 cases)