Healthcare: ‘Proper tests help diagnosis head, neck tumours’

More than 80 pathologists <br /> attend a workshop at University of Health Sciences.

LAHORE: The sheer volume of pathologic entities that one can encounter in the head and neck makes this region one of the most daunting areas of diagnostic pathology. There is a need to integrate clinical, radiographic, immunohistochemical and molecular testing to arrive at the appropriate diagnosis of head and neck tumours and tumour-like lesions, said Richard Allibone, consultant pathologist at Nottingham University, on Tuesday.

He was speaking at a workshop organised by Pathology Department of the University of Health Sciences (UHS). More than 80 pathologists from across the country attended the event.



Allibone provided a comprehensive review of head and neck surgical pathology, including the upper respiratory tract, thyroid, salivary gland, skin, inflammatory diseases, lymphomas and oral cavity lesions.

UHS Vice Chancellor Prof Muhammad Aslam said a rapid development in new diagnostic criteria, molecular techniques, genetic analyses, diagnostic aids, radiographic imaging and application of uniform terminology allowed practitioners to continue to maintain and expand their knowledge in the subspecialty of head and neck pathology.

Pathology Department Assistant Professor Nadia Naseem, the workshop convener, said 30 clinical cases related to oral cavity, salivary glands, thyroid, lymph nodes, skin and nasopharynx had been thoroughly discussed.

Pathology Department head Prof AH Nagi said the workshop would serve as an important platform for scientists to develop their skills.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2014.