The NCPTS is developing a series of education modules in cervical pathology for Anatomic Pathology registrars. The aim is to provide a study programme to assist registrars to effectively manage their own training by providing advice about topics, educational material, and a guide to other training resources.
Registrars are encouraged to use the modules in any way that serves their educational needs. Topics are structured according to year of training and integrate training in both cytology and histology. The modules are designed to take approximately 60 minutes to complete and serve as a repository of information for future reference, as more experience is gained.
The role of the NCPTS is to support the on-site training provided at each training site. It is imperative that registrars make the most of the training available at their laboratory as no external programme can replace direct laboratory experience. It is particularly important in cervical cytology to see as many cases as possible. This is the only way to build up the internal visual frame of reference needed to confidently report cervical cytology because of the fine visual judgments required.
| TOPIC |
| Year 1 1. Introduction to cervical cytology 2. High-grade squamous lesions: HSIL and SCC 3. Low-grade squamous lesions: LSIL and ASC-US 4. Glandular lesions: AIS and endocervical adenocarcinoma 5. Normal endometrial cells. Endometrial lesions 6. HPV and cervical cancer Year 2 1. Reporting cervical cytology: The Bethesda System (cytology) and SNOMED coding (histology 2. Unsatisfactory samples 3. Benign/reactive entities and Organisms 4. The National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP) 5. Liquid-based cytology (LBC) and automation 6. Testing for oncogenic (high-risk) HPV: HPV Technologies Year 3 1. Difficult High-grade Squamous lesions and Atypical Squamous Cells, possible high-grade (ASC-H) 2. Difficult glandular lesions and Atypical Glandular Cells (AGC) 3. High-grade mimics: Atrophy, cervicitis, High-sampling 4. Quality Assurance in cytology laboratories 5. Management Guidelines for women with abnormal cervical cytology 6. Immunising against HPV Year 4 1. The NCSP: Policy and Quality Standards 2. Invasive malignancies: unusual and metastatic lesions 3. Cytology case reviews: Histo/cyto reviews, “look-back” reviews 4. Management Guidelines for specific clinical situations 5. Colposcopy 6. Clinical management of invasive cervical cancer Year 5 1. The NCSP: Monitoring laboratory performance 2. Anal Cytology 3. Multidisciplinary meeting reviews: Case studies 4. New technologies: to be developed 5. Professional issues: The cytology literature, cytology societies 6. Literature reviews |