Cancer Topic Center

Advancing the role of pathologists as leaders in oncology worldwide.

Cancer and Cancer-Related Resources

• The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) recently announced new leadership for the organization, which includes two CAP members and one CAP employee. It named Mary Kay Washington, MD, PhD, FCAP as Editorial Committee Chair, Mahul B. Amin, MD, FCAP as Editorial Committee Vice-Chair, and Samantha Spencer, MD, as Implementation Committee Vice-Chair. Learn more about the appointments.
• Learn about the Commission on Cancer’s Optimal Resources for Cancer Care (2020 Standards), which go into effect on January 1, 2020. Requirements that specifically apply to pathology are: Standard 5.1: CAP Synoptic Reporting, Standard 5.7: Total Mesorectum, and Standard 5.8: Pulmonary Resection.
  • Standard 5.1: CAP Synoptic Reporting (formally known as Standard 2.1: CAP Protocols and Synoptic Reporting): Standard 5.1 complements the CAP accreditation process by ensuring that all required elements are included in pathology reports for surgical resections of invasive cancers and breast DCIS. Requirements in Standard 5.1 are consistent with those outlined in the CAP Cancer Protocols. Cancer programs are expected to comply with this standard beginning January 1, 2020.
    
  • Standard 5.7: Total Mesorectal Excision and Standard 5.8: Pulmonary Resection: Standards 5.7 and 5.8 are new and are based on guidelines described in the Operative Standards for Cancer Surgery (OSCS). Six surgical standards were adapted from OSCS for five cancer sites – breast (2), skin (melanoma), colon, rectum, and lung. Compliance with four of the standards will be determined through review of surgical operative reports. Compliance for two of the standards - Total Mesorectal Excision and Pulmonary Resection - will be determined through review of elements in the pathology report. These new surgical standards will be phased-in and cancer programs are not expected to demonstrate compliance with them during 2020; however, programs should be planning implementation strategies during 2020. The elements required in Standard 5.8: Pulmonary Resection are required elements in the current Lung Resection CAP Cancer Protocol. The elements required in Standard 5.7: Total Mesorectal Excision are optional in the current Colon and Rectum CAP Cancer Protocol, and will be updated to required elements in the February 2020 Cancer Protocol and electronic Cancer Checklist (eCC) release.
  • An Operative Standards for Cancer Surgery website includes resources to assist programs with implementing the surgical standards. Resources available include: Free PDFs of the Operative Standards for Cancer Surgery chapters related to the new accreditation standards; Examples of synoptic operative and pathology reports; and Videos and webinars covering the evidence behind the standards and how to achieve compliance.

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Learn more about our committee activities and how to join the Cancer Committee.