MEDSMITH · Digital Pathology EducationBydgoszcz, PolandVol. 1 · 2026
MEDSMITHPathology Education
Module 06 · Recorded course + downloadable reference sheets

Molecular Pathology in Diagnostic Practice

Choosing, ordering and interpreting molecular tests on tissue.

€1.690VAT included · per seat
Format
Recorded course + downloadable reference sheets
Extent
18 h · 26 lectures
Access
12 months + permanent sheets
Assessment
30 questions including three full NGS reports to interpret
Delivery
Access details by email within 24 h

Cancel for a full refund until access is delivered. Withdrawal policy.

Archive tray of glass slides being sorted by gloved hands
Fig. 06 — Archive tray of glass slides being sorted by gloved hands.
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Overview

Written for the pathologist who signs the report, not the sequencing lab. Pre-analytics and tumour content, IHC as a surrogate for molecular alterations, FISH, PCR and NGS panels, variant classification and how to phrase an integrated diagnosis. Worked examples in breast, ovarian, renal, lung and colorectal cancer.

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What you will be able to do

  • Assess tumour content and pre-analytics and reject a sample before it wastes a sequencing run
  • Use predictive immunohistochemistry (HER2, PD-L1, MMR) with the scoring rules that apply to each indication
  • Read an NGS panel report critically: coverage, allele frequency, variant tiering and what was not tested
  • Write an integrated diagnosis that a tumour board can act on
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Syllabus

  1. Tissue requirements and macrodissection
  2. Predictive IHC: HER2, PD-L1, MMR
  3. NGS panel reports: reading the variant table
  4. Homologous recombination deficiency in ovarian cancer
  5. Integrated reporting and tumour-board communication
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Lesson list

01–02Pre-analytics: fixation, decalcification, tumour content, macrodissection1 h 22 min
03Which test for which question: IHC, FISH, PCR, NGS, methylation48 min
04–06Predictive IHC: HER2 across indications, PD-L1 scores, MMR and MSI2 h 15 min
07FISH: amplification, translocation, and how to count41 min
08–09Targeted PCR and the limits of hotspot testing1 h 12 min
10–13NGS: library, coverage, allele frequency, the variant table, tiering (AMP/ASCO/CAP)2 h 58 min
14–15Germline implications and when to refer1 h 09 min
16–17Homologous recombination deficiency in ovarian cancer1 h 24 min
18–19Breast: HER2-low, ESR1, PIK3CA1 h 21 min
20–21Lung: the driver panel and fusion testing on small samples1 h 26 min
22–23Colorectal and renal: RAS/BRAF, MSI, and the renal translocation tumours1 h 24 min
24–26Integrated reporting, tumour-board communication, quality management — closing lectures2 h 00 min

18 h · 26 lectures in total. Lessons can be watched in any order; the numbering is our recommendation.

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A sample from the module

Excerpt

Lecture 11 — Reading the variant table

One page of a real (anonymised) NGS report, line by line: what the coverage number hides, why a 4 % allele frequency in a 30 % tumour is a question rather than an answer, and how the same variant lands in tier I in one tumour and tier III in another.

Two scientists reviewing a slide together
Fig. 06a — Two scientists reviewing a slide together.
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What is included

  • 26 recorded lectures (streamed, 12 months)
  • Reference sheets: predictive IHC scoring, variant tiering, tissue requirements (PDF, permanent)
  • Integrated report template (editable)
  • Worked NGS reports with annotation
  • Self-assessment with model answers
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Readership & prerequisites

Who it is written for

Practising pathologists, molecular trainees and oncologists who want to read molecular reports critically.

What you need beforehand

Surgical pathology practice or advanced residency. No laboratory molecular biology experience is needed; the course is written for the person who signs the report.

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Assessment & certificate

30 questions including three full NGS reports to interpret; pass mark 70 %. Two attempts included.

Passing the assessment adds this module to your MEDSMITH record. A certificate with hours studied is issued for the complete program; single modules receive a confirmation of completion on request.

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Delivery & access

How you receive it

After payment you land on your personal order page and receive access details by email within 24 hours on working days. Streamed lectures are watched in the browser on any device; downloadable material is yours permanently.

Several seats

Set the quantity in the cart; each seat receives its own access details. For a department of more than ten, see enrolment for departments.

Prices include VAT. The payment page may show the total in your local currency. Withdrawal terms for digital content are described in the access & withdrawal policy.

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