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Pediatric pathology, as defined by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, is that practice of pathology concerned with the study and diagnosis of human disease manifested in the embryo, fetus, infant, child, and adolescent.
Pediatric pathology is unique in that it focuses on diseases across a spectrum of ages rather than specific organ systems, making it a broader and more comprehensive field.
Frequently Asked Questions
A primary challenge is determining your practice setting. Full-time positions may be more limited to regions with dedicated pediatric services/hospitals, and private practice positions may require a combination of subspecialty or part-general work.
The standard pediatric pathology fellowship is a minimum of one year to be board-eligible.
It certainly depends on the practice setting, but generally yes. Call coverage could include after-hours frozen sections, as well as urgent biopsy reads. In general, pediatric pathology call is not overly burdensome.
Again, the case volume depends greatly on the practice setting, but there is a definite need for ancillary testing to complete one’s case work.
There tends to be a high interaction with other pediatric subspecialists such as pediatric gastroenterologists, oncologists/hematologists, surgeons, dermatologists, and others.
Yes. There is the Society for Pediatric Pathology (SPP) in the US and Canada, and the Paediatric Pathology Society (PPS) serving primarily the UK and Europe, though both remain global in their reach.
Pediatric pathology pairs well with several subspecialties, particularly hematopathology, molecular-genetic pathology, forensic pathology, and neuropathology; combining these subspecialties could help formulate a highly marketable skillset. Additionally, there has been increased collaboration with dermatopathology, cytopathology, and gynecologic pathology. However, pediatric pathology also works well as a standalone subspecialty.
Interaction with patients in pediatric pathology absolutely depends on the practice setting but seems to be more prevalent in practices with FNA services, transfusion medicine/apheresis, and/or autopsy capabilities.
Other Resources:
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Molecular Oncology Testing in the Pediatric Population
While there are some similarities to adult oncology, the biology of pediatric tumors is different, thus pediatric molecular oncology testing must reflect these differences.
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Podcast: Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
In this CAPcast, Mary Edgerton, MD talks with pediatric cancer experts about their work as it relates to the updated Pediatric Cancer Protocols released in September 2023.
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Subspecialty Spotlight Series
Hosted by the CAP Residents Forum, this unique event offers medical students and pathology residents the opportunity to hear from experts representing a range of subspecialties.
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