Postgraduate School of Pathology

Common training objectives (or common core)
Acquiring knowledge in the field of Diagnostic and Laboratory Medicine, as well as in the common subject areas for different postgraduate programmes, namely molecular pathology, pathophysiology and general pathology, immunology and immunopathology. Furthermore, common activities will also cover clinical integrations with the medical and surgical areas

Core training objectives
- learning to use histology laboratory equipment and techniques;
- acquiring a fundamental knowledge of genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, medical statistics, epidemiology, and morphometric assessment.

School-specific training objectives
- acquiring in-depth knowledge of systematic pathology, autopsy diagnosis and techniques, theoretical and practical foundations of histochemistry and immunohistochemistry, ultrastructural pathology, diagnostic cytopathology, including fine needle aspiration cytology, and molecular biology applied to diagnostics;
- developing excellent skills in the morphologic diagnosis of cellular, tissue and organ alterations, and in pathogenetic and epicrisis assessment, also in relation to therapeutic treatment;
- learning the fundamentals for the evaluation, including epicrisis assessment, of the clinical anatomical correlations of key pathology subspecialties such as neuropathology, cardiovascular pathology, dermatopathology, hematopathology, nephrouropathology, gynecopathology, paediatric pathology, bone and soft tissue pathology, gastrointestinal pathology, endocrinopathology, respiratory pathology, oncological pathology and all matters concerning morphological diagnostics related to cells, tissues and organs;
- acquiring experience in organ transplant morphological monitoring; learning organization and management skills required for laboratories of histopathological diagnostics, diagnostic cytopathology, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry, ultrastructural pathology and molecular biology applied to histocytopathology, including workplace safety and disposal of biological and chemical residues.

Similar or additional training objectives
Acquiring adequate theoretical knowledge of medical genetics, epidemiology and general hygiene, diagnostic imaging, occupational and preventive medicine, toxicology, forensic medicine, deontology and bioethics.

Mandatory professional training activities
- Performing (and certifying) at least 40 necropsy examinations, including histopathological assessment; the macroscopic description and sampling of at least 1,200 surgical specimens; the microscopic description and histopathological diagnosis, along with any histochemical, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and molecular biology investigations, of at least 4,000 cases; the microscopic description and cytopathological diagnosis of at least 1,600 cases, including those of fine needle aspiration cytology; participating in the preparation and reporting of at least 200 cases of intraoperative diagnosis; performing at least 50 molecular diagnoses on tissue lesions. Furthermore, the specialist must:
- Possess a thorough knowledge of the signs, symptoms and mechanisms of morbid processes, as well as the correlation between clinical and morphological pictures. Know the scientific background of the disease in terms of disease mechanisms, diagnostic criteria and clinical significance.
- Be able to make macroscopic descriptions of samples, adequately documenting the essential diagnostic elements, and using, where necessary, iconographic documentation techniques.
- Know how to perform sampling of surgical specimens for histological examination according to standard guidelines.
- Examine histological and cytological preparations using a logical and consistent approach, and taking into consideration clinical information and the specific questions asked by the requesting doctor.
- Know how to describe pathological pictures in a concise and detailed manner, focusing on observations aimed at producing a complete, clear and understandable report.
- Know how to use histological preparation digitization techniques, and be aware of the applications of virtual imaging in the field of external diagnostic consultation and in teaching.
- Be able to request and interpret the appropriate additional investigations (histochemical and immunohistochemical staining, biomolecular investigations) if required for the report.
- Know and apply the legal regulation of necroscopic medicine.
- Be able to independently perform a complete necropsy examination and to establish correctly epicrisis.
- Be aware of medical-legal implications of keeping samples and reports, as well as protecting sensitive data.

The professional training activity includes diagnostic shifts in the context of the educational network of the School, with the teacher's supervision. The learning of autopsy diagnostics involves attending the autopsy room and performing necropsy examinations under the teacher's supervision.
Specific competences can be summarized as follows: Autopsy; Bone and soft tissue Pathology; Breast pathology; Cardiovascular pathology; Cytopathology; Dermatopathology; Endocrine pathology; Ocular pathology; Pathology of the gastrointestinal tract; Gynecopathology; Head and neck pathology; Hematopathology; Hepatobiliary pathology; Pathology of the male genital system; Muscle pathology; Pathology of the kidney and renal excretory tract; Pathology of the respiratory system; Neuropathology; Paediatric, perinatal and fetoplacental pathology.
The trainee can graduate after completing the professional programme.
As part of the programme, the trainee will learn the scientific bases of their type of School in order to reach full professional competence and maturity, including the ability to interpret scientific innovations and the critical knowledge required for both assistance and update activities; in this context, they may participate in meetings and conferences, produce scientific publications, and attend qualified Italian and foreign institutions for training purposes.