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Formalized Radiologic-Pathologic Curriculum in Breast Imaging for Breast Imaging Fellows and Residents: how we do it

  • Best Practice Approaches Breast Radiology-Pathology Correlation and Management (J Scheel and MR Kilgore, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Breast Cancer Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Radiologic-pathologic concordance is the review of a patient’s breast imaging in the context of his/her pathology results and is a critical and unique component of breast imaging and diagnosis. Our goal is to develop a structured curriculum that prepares residents and fellows to analyze radiologic-pathologic concordance critical to patient management and improved patient outcomes.

Recent Findings

To our knowledge, there is no formalized academic educational program to teach radiologic-pathologic concordance. To address this gap for our diagnostic radiology residents and fellows, we developed, in coordination with our breast pathology department, a standardized educational curriculum for radiologic-pathologic correlation based on the American College of Radiology and Society of Breast Imaging Resident and Fellowship Training Curriculum Monticciolo DL, Rebner M, Appleton CM, Newell MS, Farria DM, Sickles EA et al. (J Am Coll Radiol 10(3):207–10.e4, 1). This curriculum also includes normal breast development and unique pathology for different patient populations.

Summary

The process of evaluating radiologic-pathologic concordance in breast imaging is essential, particularly after minimally invasive breast procedures to identify potentially discordant pathology results that require further action and concordant results that may need further management. Breast imagers traditionally teach residents and fellows this process primarily at the monitor as pathology results return and during periodic joint conferences with pathology colleagues. This leaves potential gaps of knowledge as trainees’ experience is dependent on the types of pathology results returning while they are on rotation and if they are available when this process occurs. The absence of a standardized curriculum makes it challenging to learn or review this material and track its acquisition. The creation of a standardized curriculum and an educational journal series should enhance the uniformity of trainees’ experiences with regard to this important topic. The purpose of this publication is to introduce the curriculum and describe topics covered in the first module, including normal breast histology, gross anatomy, development, alterations during the menstrual cycle, and the male breast.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Scott M. Zelasko

  2. Alaska Radiology Associates, Anchorage, Alaska, USA

    Brittany O’Steen

  3. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA

    Elizabeth Parker & Mark Kilgore

  4. Department of Radiology, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA

    John R. Scheel

Authors
  1. Scott M. Zelasko
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  2. Brittany O’Steen
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  3. Elizabeth Parker
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  4. Mark Kilgore
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  5. John R. Scheel
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Scott M. Zelasko.

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Human and Animal Rights and Consent to Participate

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Conflict of Interest

Scott Zelasko, Brittany O’Steen, Elizabeth Parker, and Mark Kilgore declare that they have no conflict of interest. John Scheel reports grants from GE Healthcare and the Radiological Society of North America to support research outside the submitted work.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Best Practice Approaches Breast Radiology-Pathology Correlation and Management

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Zelasko, S.M., O’Steen, B., Parker, E. et al. Formalized Radiologic-Pathologic Curriculum in Breast Imaging for Breast Imaging Fellows and Residents: how we do it. Curr Breast Cancer Rep 13, 405–413 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12609-021-00440-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12609-021-00440-0

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