Goals and Objectives:

1. To gain a broad exposure to diagnostic hematopathology including: proper tissue processing, diagnosis of bone marrow, lymph node, spleen, and other tissues involved by hematologic diseases.
2. To appreciate the diagnostic applicability of special stains and phenotypic studies in evaluation of these disorders.

The resident works closely with one of the Hematopathology Fellows in the cutting room and subsequently in the signout room for tissue processing (different techniques required, contingent on specimen type and the disorder to be assessed) and for formulation of a diagnosis when slides of the specimen become available. The material evaluated includes fresh biopsies and slide consults. Following an initial introduction, resident is then expected to present his or her cases at daily morning signout, having obtained ancillary clinical information on cases, as necessary, and also to attend the portion of the signout of cases which have been prepared by the Hemato-pathology Fellows, including consult cases. These cases are available to the resident for preliminary review on the evening prior to signout. The resident also participates in evaluation of frozen sections which may be requested in hematologic cases. Residents who choose extended rotations (3 months or more) on the service will ultimately assume the responsibilities of a Hematopathology Fellow after an initial training period. Hematopathology Fellows either assume responsibility for handling all in-house specimens (in consultation with senior staff), reviewing consults from surgical pathology and specialty services, and handling selected outside consults, or assume responsibility for all other consult cases including outside cases submitted for marker studies and/or consultation. All cases are signed-out with senior staff hematopathologists. Fellows are also responsible for presenting cases at Lymphoma Conference and Dana Farber/Partners Cancer Care Conferences.

In addition to the above responsibilities, the resident attends the weekly bone marrow aspirate tutorial session in the Dana Farber Cancer Institute Special Hematology Lab, the weekly Hematopathology Interesting Case Conference, the biweekl-y lymphoma conference, and the Dana Farber/Partners Cancer Care Conferences in which hematologic cases are discussed.

Additional teaching material includes slide and kodachrome study sets, a variety of hematology and hematop-athology books, and a notebook of key articles. Residents and/or fellows may also be involved in preparation of manuscripts of unusual cases or specific hemato-logic topics for publications in peer reviewed journals.