USCAP Tutorial in Pathology of the GI Tract, Pancreas and Liver 2026

Original release date: April 7, 2026
Pathologists who evaluate specimens from the gastrointestinal tract occupy an expanding role in disease management teams. The widespread availability of endoscopy coupled with advances in tissue acquisition techniques have drastically increased the number and variety of gastrointestinal samples pathologists encounter in daily practice. As a result, pathologists are now required to provide comprehensive diagnostic information based on review of scant material. Classification of tumors is often completed based on interpretation of immunohistochemical stains coupled with molecular analyses to identify druggable targets or underlying germline conditions. Pathologists also direct the evaluation of patients with gastrointestinal complaints, particularly when patients have persistent symptoms or are immunosuppressed. Thus, they must be able to hone in on key features present in biopsy material in order to narrow the differential diagnosis and better direct patient care. This course is intended to address these needs in a succinct and pragmatic fashion.
Target Audience
Practicing academic and community pathologists, and pathologists-in-training
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, learners will be able to:

Discuss criteria to facilitate distinction between different causes of esophagitis and gastritis
Evaluate biopsy samples from patients with malabsorptive symptoms
Classify patterns of colitis and recognize medication-related injuries
Recognize inflammatory and neoplastic conditions of the anus and appendix
Discuss biopsy interpretation of the liver
Discuss diagnostic criteria for pancreatic pathology
Formulate differential diagnoses for mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract

 
+ Topics:

Liver Anatomy and Histology – John Hart, MD
Metabolic Diseases of the Liver – Sanjay Kakar, MD
Medication Related Injury and Infections in the Liver – John Hart, MD
Hepatitic and Biliary Patterns of Liver Injury: The Art and Science of Pattern Recognition – Sanjay Kakar, MD
Neoplastic and Non-Neoplastic Anal Pathology – Elizabeth A. Montgomery, MD
Approach to Early Esophageal and Gastric Neoplasia – Elizabeth A. Montgomery, MD
Interpretation of Immunohistochemical Biomarkers in Gastrointestinal Cancers – Rondell P. Graham, MBBS
Solid Tumors of the Liver and Bile Ducts – Rondell P. Graham, MBBS
Beyond Typical Hepatitic and Biliary Diseases: Vascular and Other Unusual Patterns of Liver Injury – Sanjay Kakar, MD
Patterns of Esophagitis and Their Meaning – Rhonda K. Yantiss, MD
Metastatic Carcinoma of Unknown Primary: The Role of Immunohistochemistry (Stay in Control!) – Jason L. Hornick, MD, PhD
Reporting Endoscopic Samples of GI Tumors – Rhonda K. Yantiss, MD
Common and Uncommon Gastritides – Elizabeth A. Montgomery, MD
Appendicitis and Appendiceal Neoplasia – Rhonda K. Yantiss, MD
When to Suggest the Possibility of GI Polyposis Syndrome in Routine Surgical Pathology Sign-Out – John Hart, MD
Breakfast with the Expert, John Hart, MD Shares His All-Time Favorite Cases – John Hart, MD
GIST and Mimics: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – Jason L. Hornick, MD, PhD
Approach to Chronic Colitis in 2026 – Nicole C. Panarelli, MD
Cystic and Vascular Tumors of the Liver – Rondell P. Graham, MBBS
Even Less Common Mesenchymal Tumors in the GI Tract – Jason L. Hornick, MD, PhD
Biopsy Diagnosis of Common and Emerging Enteropathies – Nicole C. Panarelli, MD
Tumors of the Gallbladder and Ampulla – Olca Basturk, MD
Neuroendocrine and Other Solid Cellular Tumors of the Pancreas in Biopsy and Resection Specimens – Olca Basturk, MD
Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Systemic Diseases in Immunocompetent and Immunocompromised Patients – Nicole C. Panarelli, MD
Neoplasms of the Pancreatic Ducts: Frozen Sections, Small Biopsies, and Challenging Resection Specimens – Olca Basturk, MD