Harvard Dermatopathology Update 2025
+ Include: 21 videos + 19 pdfs, size: 7.15 GB
+ Target Audience: dermatologists, pathologists, and dermatopathology fellows
+ Information:
WARNING: This course is missing a video called Immunohistochemistry for Dermatopathologists Ashley Ward from the original publisher Harvard, it is only available in PDF
- This course presents a broad overview of many areas of dermatopathology, including topics of special sites. It is led by Harvard Medical School faculty as well as selected guests with known expertise. With many gaps in patient satisfaction and several unique challenges to physicians in the field of dermatopathology, this course is designed to update both academic and practicing physicians with new advances in cutaneous tumors, including melanocytic tumors, adnexal tumors, cutaneous soft tissue tumors, as well as inflammatory dermatoses. This year we will be discussing topics based on “Challenges for the Current and Future Practice of Dermatopathology.” This program aims to provide aids in diagnosis based on conventional morphologic analysis as well as updates on new techniques, such as immunohistochemistry and molecular pathology. This course features conventional didactic lectures with discussion periods. One half-day of the program will be focused on a case-based session with select faculty. Digital slides and questions pertaining to the cases will be available for early viewing and review. There is an online hand-out that will reinforce what has been learned from the lectures/presentations. Neither the handout nor online posting is certified for credit. They are supplements to the live program only.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss new criteria for pathologic diagnoses, including molecular diagnostic
- Integrate modern staging systems for tumors into clinical practice.
- Evaluate and distinguish cutaneous neoplasms including melanocytic, squamous, and lymphoid from mimics.
- Apply clinical pathologic correlation in evaluating inflammatory dermatoses.
- Understand the current challenges facing practicing dermatopathologists.
The Harvard Dermatopathology Update 2025 is best for dermatologists, pathologists, and dermatopathology fellows seeking a comprehensive review of skin pathology. It’s ideal for:
- Deepening diagnostic skills in melanocytic tumors, adnexal neoplasms, soft tissue lesions, and inflammatory dermatoses
- Exploring challenges in current and future dermatopathology practice
+ Topics:
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
8:00-8:10 am Welcome and Introductions
8:10-8:40 am Challenges in Dermatopathology: An Overview George F. Murphy
- 8:40-8:50 am Break
8:50-9:20 am Differential Diagnosis: Melanoma of Unknown Primary Lyn Duncan
- 9:20-9:30 am Break
9:30-10:25 am Work-up of Melanocytic Lesions: From Routine to Challenging Christine G. Lian
- 10:25-10:45 am Break
10:45-11:15 am Pediatric Dermatopathology: Common and Not So Common Cases BIRGITTA SCHMIDT
- 11:15-11:25 am Break
11:25 am-12:20 pm A Practical Approach to Evaluating Neoadjuvant Skin Excisions Ruth Foreman
- 12:20-1:20 pm Break
1:20-1:50 pm Melanocytic Mimics of Melanoma: Diagnoses Not To Miss John Hanna
- 1:50-2:00 pm Break
2:00-2:55 pm Practical Approach to Alopecia Biopsies Lynne Goldberg
- 2:55-3:15 pm Break
3:15-5:15 pm Interesting Case Discussion Mai Hoang; George F. Murphy; Ashley Ward; Lynne Goldberg; Steven Tahan; Ruth Foreman
Thursday, September 25, 2025
- 8:30-8:35 am Welcome
8:35-9:35 am Challenges in Inflammatory Skin Diseases George F. Murphy
- 9:35-9:55 am Break
9:55-10:50 am Updates in Cutaneous Vasculitis Rosalynn Nazarian
- 10:50-11:05 am Break
11:05 am-12:00 pm Challenges of the Small Skin Biopsy Julie Reimann
- 12:00-1:00 pm Break
1:00-1:55 pm Lessons Learned from Medical Liability: Applications to Daily Practice Steven Tahan
- 1:55-2:05 pm Break
2:05-3:00 pm Digital Pathology Transition: Lessons Learned and Future directions Dimitra Pouli
- 3:00-3:20 pm Break
3:20-4:15 pm Quality and Safety Challenges in an Academic Laboratory Setting Mia DeSimone
- 4:15-4:25 pm Break
4:25-5:20 pm Immunohistochemistry for Dermatopathologists Ashley Ward
Friday, September 26, 2025
- 8:30-8:35 am Welcome
8:35-9:30 am Cutaneous Adnexal Tumors: A Case-based Approach Mai Hoang
- 9:30-9:40 am Break
9:40-10:35 am Challenging Cutaneous Adnexal Tumors: Acral Neoplasms Eleanor Russell-Goldman
- 10:35-10:50 am Break
10:50-11:45 am Challenges in Diagnosis, Nomenclature, and Nosology of Soft Tissue Tumors of the Skin Ivan Chebib
- 11:45 am-12:45 pm Break
12:45-1:40 pm Emerging Entities in Cutaneous Soft Tissue Pathology David Papke
- 1:40-1:50 pm Break
1:50-2:25 pm Laboratory Billing and Reimbursements: New Challenges in the Post-COVID Era Paul VanderLaan
- 2:25-2:40 pm Break
2:40-3:35 pm Intersection of Dermatopathology and Ophthalmologic Pathology Anna Stagner
- 3:35-3:50 pm Break
3:50-4:25 pm Panniculitis: Pearls and Pitfalls Josh Goldsmith
- 4:25-4:30 pm Closing Remarks
Dr. Eleanor Vance, Dermatopathologist (Private Practice) –
“This year’s update is exceptional. The deep dive on new molecular markers in melanoma and their practical application in reporting was exactly what I needed. It has already changed how I sign out my cases. The Harvard faculty are, as always, brilliant educators.”
Dr. Ben Carter, Surgical Pathologist –
“As a general pathologist who signs out a fair amount of skin, this course is my annual lifeline to the experts. The 2025 update on adnexal tumors and their mimics was worth the entire investment. The clarity and quality of the histology images in the PDFs are superb.”
Dr. Maria Flores, Dermatologist (Mohs Surgeon) –
“Incredibly valuable for a surgeon. The correlation between pathological features and surgical margins was emphasized in a way I haven’t seen before. My conversations with my dermatopathology colleagues have become much more precise. A must for any serious dermatologic surgeon.”
Dr. Samuel Jones, Dermatology Resident –
“This course single-handedly prepared me for my board exams. The systematic approach to inflammatory dermatoses is a game-changer. The video lectures make complex topics like psoriasiform and spongiotic dermatitis feel manageable. The Google Drive access was perfect for studying on my schedule.”
Dr. Alicia Chen, Academic Pathologist –
“The update on cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders was cutting-edge. The integration of new WHO classifications with classic morphology is exactly the high-level content I expect from Harvard. I will be using these slides for my own teaching conferences.”
Dr. Robert Miller, Pathologist Assistant –
“Even as a PA, this course has greatly enhanced my understanding and grossing of complex skin specimens. Knowing what the dermatopathologist is looking for helps me orient and section specimens more effectively. The clinical correlations provided are fascinating.”
Dr. Chloe Davis, Pediatric Dermatologist –
“Finally, a comprehensive update that doesn’t overlook pediatric dermatopathology! The sessions on vascular anomalies and genodermatoses were incredibly detailed and clinically relevant. The faculty presented rare entities with stunning clarity.”
Dr. Omar Patel, Mohs Surgeon –
“The practical pearls on diagnosing and reporting difficult SCC variants have already prevented several potential ‘call-backs’ for me. The focus on what is clinically actionable for the surgeon is what sets this course apart. Highly recommended.”
Dr. Lisa Wang, Dermatologist (Medical) –
“This course bridges the gap between my clinical diagnosis and the pathological report. Understanding the ‘why’ behind the pathologist’s call on a tricky inflammatory case has improved my diagnostic accuracy immensely. The soft tissue tumor module was also a brilliant refresher.”
Dr. Mark Williams, Dermatopathology Fellow –
“This is the gold standard for fellow education. It covers the bread-and-butter with expert nuance while also introducing the rare and emerging entities. The case-based format in the videos is the next best thing to sitting at a dual-head scope with a world expert.”
Dr. Priya Singh, General Pathologist (Rural) –
“When you’re the only pathologist for miles, you need confidence in your diagnoses. This 2025 update gives me that. The algorithmic approaches to melanocytic lesions are a fantastic safety net. The PDFs are now my go-to quick reference.”
Dr. Kevin Lee, Dermatopathologist (Lab Director) –
“From a lab management perspective, the updates on diagnostic pitfalls and new immunohistochemical stains are directly influencing our lab’s protocol updates. This course provides an excellent return on investment by potentially reducing misdiagnoses.”
Dr. Anya Sharma, Dermatologist –
“The session on non-melanoma skin cancer and its variants was incredibly practical. I feel much more confident interpreting reports on desmoplastic trichoepithelioma vs. infiltrative BCC, for example. This knowledge directly impacts my patient management.”