One of the main purposes of the academy is to organize a variety of interactive diagnostic courses for practicing pathologists as well as pathologists in training.
The participants usually will have the opportunity to review the digitized cases by using virtual microscopy at least four weeks prior to the courses. For certain diagnostic courses (breast, gyn) pathologists will have the opportunity to review the cases by using conventional microscopes during the courses (the digitized cases will not be available prior to certain courses). For all courses, the cases will be digitized and the participant will have the chance to review the discussed cases again for four weeks after the courses.
During the courses, on each day several examples of common and uncommon cases will be extensively discussed by an interactive approach using live-microscopy.
Particular attention will be paid by each course on the diagnostic criteria with systematic analysis of differential diagnoses and pitfalls.
Value und limitations of immunohistochemistry and molecular genetic tools will be demonstrated and critically discussed. A comprehensive review and update of histopathology with discussion of clinical significance of benign, pre-malignant, and malignant tumors as well as tumor-like conditions will be provided.
In addition, several lectures by experts in pathology, medical oncology, and surgery will be provided.