New e-learning: Tumour Assessment in the Genomic Era
Learn a systematic method of estimating a tumour sample’s cellularity and neoplastic content, and test yourself in a digital pathology environment
In collaboration with Dr David Gonzalez de Castro and a range of NHS and academic colleagues, the Genomics Education Programme has developed a collection of training and assessment modules to support NHS lab staff in assessing the suitability of tumour samples for genomic sequencing.
These online training modules, developed for histopathologists, biomedical scientists and clinical scientists, demonstrate the need for a systematic approach to estimating cellularity and neoplastic content of tumour tissue, and provide a step-by-step approach to one such method.
Module 1: The Evidence for a Systematic Approach
This 35-minute course sets out the principles of, and evidence behind, a systematic approach to assessing cellularity and neoplastic content in tumour samples.
Module 2: Adopting a Systematic Model
Following on from module 1, this 20-minute course provides a step-by-step tutorial in a systematic model of tumour assessment that was devised by teams at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Queen’s University Belfast.
Final Assessment
Learners can test their knowledge by viewing real tissue slides at high resolution in a digital pathology environment and estimating the cellularity and percentage of neoplastic content of a range of tumour samples.
A revolution in histopathology
Dr Clare Verrill, Lead for Molecular Pathology, Oxford University Hospital NHS Trust and Senior Clinical Lecturer in Pathology at the University of Oxford, commented: “As pathologists we have a key role in assessing the tissue available to us and what tests might actually be feasible.
“These modules take you through the theoretical and practical aspects of the model, and they enable you to test yourself against externally validated slides.
“For me, this is the single biggest revolution that I will see in my histopathology career and I think it is time for pathology to take centre stage in what is an exciting revolution in healthcare.”
You can view more details about the new tumour assessment tools or complete any of the modules via the Genomics Education Programme website.
