CAP forges collaboration with CAP-ACP and RCPA for development of cancer protocols

Sep 13 2010

The College of American Pathologists (CAP) recently signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Canadian Association of Pathologists (CAP-ACP) and the Royal College of Pathologists Australasia (RCPA), forging a collaboration in the development of cancer datasets, also called protocols. The CAP Cancer Protocols are designed as a guideline for definitive cancer reporting.

This collaboration agreement not only allows pathologists from many different countries to participate actively in developing cancer protocols, but also helps better define staging parameters for cancer specimens.

These MOUs bring together three highly regarded groups of medical experts from across the globe, allowing them to more efficiently develop cancer protocols that are more likely to receive widespread adoption. This agreement aims to further improve cancer data information for research and comparison and raise reporting standards internationally. This landmark collaboration holds benefits in cancer diagnosis and treatment for both patients and specialists.

Since 1986, the CAP has been publishing cancer reporting guidelines, which later evolved into cancer protocols, as a resource to pathologists for reporting surgical pathology findings.

"Currently, the use of cancer protocols continues to challenge all pathologists in cancer centers. Our goal is to leverage this new level of international collaboration to overcome this challenge," said Stephen N. Bauer, MD, FCAP, president of the CAP. "Our focus is on enhancing and changing the face of cancer reporting through our collective ideas and resources. Going forward, our ability to share, store, and work with health information in a variety of systems will accelerate progress in countless ways."

The RCPA determined collaboration would make sense to economize efforts and increase potential results. Based on the work and commitment to excellence of both organizations, collaboration with the CAP was logical.
"This MOU formally recognizes the important collaboration we are undertaking with our pathology colleagues in North America. It represents a significant step forward in ensuring that the pathology report for every cancer patient around the world is standardized to the same high level of detailed information and in the same clear format," said Associate Professor Paul McKenzie, MB BS, FRCPA, president of RCPA.

"An accurate and complete pathology report is essential in correctly diagnosing a patient's cancer and planning appropriate therapy," says John R. Srigley, MD, FRCPC, FCAP, head of the pathology and laboratory medicine program at Cancer Care Ontario. He also serves as pathology lead for the Canadian Partnerships Against Cancer's National Staging Initiative. "With so many data fields to cover, a checklist-based synoptic pathology report is much easier to complete. Just as important, it is much easier for the clinician to read and understand the report with confidence. It reduces the need for interpretation of narratives and helps surgeons and oncologists decide on the best treatment for their patients. Synoptic reports also facilitate the use of pathology information by other important groups such as cancer registrars."

"The pathologist plays a central and critical role in providing patients with the best care possible. We are involved in every step of the patient's cancer journey, from screening and prevention through diagnosis and prognosis, treatment, cure, and palliative care," said Laurette Geldenhuys, MD, CAP-ACP president. "Having cancer protocols that continue to evolve and reflect Canadian and international expertise, and are responsive to new advances in personalized medicine are crucial to better patient care and the best possible outcomes for our patients."

"This agreement allows cancer datasets to be reported in a standardized manner across each country," said Associate Professor David Ellis, MB BS, FRCPA, chair of the Australasia Project Group for the National Structured Pathology Reporting for Cancer Project, "and, as a result, enables diagnostic information to be shared more easily between countries, which is where the MOU fits in."

Dr. Bauer added, "When all reports are designed consistently, containing clear headlines that identify the diagnosis right up top, when the language is clear, and the page uniformly formatted, it is easier for busy physicians to find what they need. The effort we make to refine and synthesize information in our pathology reports fosters progress in patient care, research, and public health. We are delighted with this spirit of collaboration and its importance to international quality patient care."

Source College of American Pathologists (CAP)