Soft Tissue Where You Least Expect It: Mesenchymal Tumors of the Skin, Breast, Thorax, Gastrointestinal, and Gynecologic Tracts

The event titled 'Soft Tissue Where You Least Expect It: Mesenchymal Tumors of the Skin, Breast, Thorax, Gastrointestinal, and Gynecologic Tracts' is organized by the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) and will take place in Palm Springs, United States. This educational course is directed by Dr. Karen J. Fritchie, a practicing pathologist and USCAP member, who will guide attendees through the complexities of mesenchymal tumors that can arise in various organ systems, often mimicking more common neoplasms like carcinomas.Participants of this course will gain a comprehensive understanding of soft tissue tumors, particularly those found in visceral organs. The course aims to enhance the ability of pathologists to differentiate mesenchymal tumors from their epithelial counterparts. Attendees will review the morphology of a wide range of benign and malignant soft tissue tumors, learning to recognize distinguishing features of common benign entities to prevent misclassification as malignant. Key mimickers of sarcomas, such as sarcomatoid carcinoma and transdifferentiated melanoma, will also be discussed. Additionally, the rationale for molecular testing in soft tissue tumors will be covered, providing attendees with practical tools for their practice. A unique aspect of this event includes a 30-minute Slide Preview session where participants will individually review glass slides before engaging in a collaborative Case Discussion at a multiheaded teaching microscope. This interactive format promotes a deeper understanding of the subject matter through expert-led instruction and peer discussion.