Molecular Infectious Disease Testing on Vaginal Swabs
By Felix Martinez Jr, M.D.
In our world of rapidly evolving technology, does molecular testing for infectious disease offer value? If there is a current practice or test that detects disease and helps administer good care to patients, is there reason to readily adopt a new approach?
Melanoma In Situ Excision Guidelines
By Alden R. Webb, D.O.
Recommendations for setting the appropriate margins when excising melanoma in situ (MIS) lesions are being revisited.
Good Smears Equal Good Medicine
By Ayumi I. Corn, M.D.
Accurate interpretation of bone marrow specimens is highly dependent on two factors: the quality of the sample obtained during the procedure and the quality of specimen processing, in particular the preparation of the bone marrow aspirate smears.
HPV-Related Head & Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
By David C. Hoak, M.D.
Recent studies reveal that tumor HPV status is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival and progression-free survival among patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas.
Determination of “Indeterminate” Thyroid Nodules
By Felix Martinez Jr, M.D.
When indeterminate thyroid results are reported, there are options available for clinicians and their patients to obtain additional diagnostic information, which may help in deciding whether or not to have surgery.
Incyte Diagnostics Adopts ToGA Guidelines: Gastric and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Testing for HER2 Status - IHC vs. FISH
At Incyte Diagnostics, we have adopted the ToGA guidelines. We will test a patient’s first biopsy with IHC for HER2 with reflex to ISH (FISH or CISH) for equivocal HER2 by IHC results.
Working Up Breast Cancer Subtypes
By Amy M. Backer, M.D.
Determining classification of breast cancer subtypes is important to oncologists and their patients because it helps them formulate an individualized treatment approach that will provide the highest efficacy, lowest toxicity and best chance for a good outcome.
New Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines - Should Not Lessen the Importance of the Annual Exam
By Felix Martinez Jr, M.D.
In March 2012, four major organizations - preventative, professional and governmental - jointly issued new guidelines for cervical cancer screening. Major changes are listed in this article.
The Origin of Ovarian Carcinoma: Why the Debate Matters
By Sanjay Logani, M.D.
Early detection of serous ovarian cancer would save the lives of many women, but there is no reliable screening test that has the sensitivity or the specificity to be useful in clinical practice.
BRAF Mutation in Metastatic Melanoma
By David C. Hoak, M.D.
Until recently, a diagnosis of metastatic melanoma was often accompanied with a poor prognosis for treatment.
