Clinical and Surgical Pathology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Pathology is a cornerstone of modern medicine, playing a central role in clinical decision-making and patient management. Through the study of disease at the morphological and molecular level, pathology provides the definitive diagnosis that guides therapeutic strategies. This course introduces students to the core principles and clinical relevance of anatomic pathology, with a focus on organ-based pathology, molecular diagnostics, and the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence in digital pathology and biobanking. By understanding the pathological basis of disease, students will gain essential skills for interpreting diagnostic information and better understanding the connection of precision medicine and technological innovation.
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
1.Understand the foundational principles of Pathology, including histopathology, cytopathology, molecular pathology, and digital pathology.
2.Recognize the morphological and molecular basis of major human diseases.
3.Correlate histopathological findings with clinical presentation, imaging, and laboratory data, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis.
4.Acquire familiarity with predictive and prognostic biomarkers used in clinical practice, especially in the context of breast cancer and female genital tract malignancies.
5.Understand the principles and applications of biobanking and digital pathology, and their role in modern diagnostic workflows and research.
6.Critically read and interpret pathology reports, understanding their structure, terminology, and clinical implications.
7.Appreciate the role of pathology in personalized medicine, including the integration of molecular data for patient stratification and therapeutic decision-making.
8.Develop an integrated vision of human pathology, combining microscopic, molecular, and clinical knowledge to support evidence-based medical practice.
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
1.Understand the foundational principles of Pathology, including histopathology, cytopathology, molecular pathology, and digital pathology.
2.Recognize the morphological and molecular basis of major human diseases.
3.Correlate histopathological findings with clinical presentation, imaging, and laboratory data, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis.
4.Acquire familiarity with predictive and prognostic biomarkers used in clinical practice, especially in the context of breast cancer and female genital tract malignancies.
5.Understand the principles and applications of biobanking and digital pathology, and their role in modern diagnostic workflows and research.
6.Critically read and interpret pathology reports, understanding their structure, terminology, and clinical implications.
7.Appreciate the role of pathology in personalized medicine, including the integration of molecular data for patient stratification and therapeutic decision-making.
8.Develop an integrated vision of human pathology, combining microscopic, molecular, and clinical knowledge to support evidence-based medical practice.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students are expected to recognize the key morphological and molecular features of major diseases, understand their clinical relevance, and interpret pathology reports in a clinically meaningful way.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Course syllabus
1. Presentation of the Course and introduction to Anatomic Pathology: Histo-cytopatthology
2. Introduction to Anatomic Pathology: Molecular Pathology
3. Introduction to Anatomic Pathology: Digital pathology and Biobanking
4. Atherosclerosis, Valvular and Hearth Disease
5. Neuroendocrine tumors
6. Pathology of the esophagus and stomach
7. Small intestine and colon (non-neoplastic)
8. Small intestine and colon (neoplastic)
9. Pancreas, Liver and Galbladder
10. Pulmonary function disorders, pleuritis, mesothelioma
11. Lung cancer
12. Hematologic malignancies and thymoma
13. Inflammatory disorders of the skin and non-melanocytic tumors of the skin and skin adnexa
14. Melanoma
15. Head and neck
16. Salivary glands
17. Breast pathology
18. Breast cancer molecular pathology
19. Female genital tract: cervix, uterus, and ovary
20. Female genital tract: predictive molecular pathology
21. Glomerular, tubulointerstitial, and vascular diseases of the kidney
22. Kidney cancer and urothelial carcinoma
23. Prostate
24. Testis
25. Mesenchymal tumors
26. Tumors of the pediatric age
27. CNS vascular lesions and diseases of the peripheral nervous system
28. Brain tumors
29. Endocrine System and Transplantation Pathology
30. Critical analysis of pathology reports
2. Introduction to Anatomic Pathology: Molecular Pathology
3. Introduction to Anatomic Pathology: Digital pathology and Biobanking
4. Atherosclerosis, Valvular and Hearth Disease
5. Neuroendocrine tumors
6. Pathology of the esophagus and stomach
7. Small intestine and colon (non-neoplastic)
8. Small intestine and colon (neoplastic)
9. Pancreas, Liver and Galbladder
10. Pulmonary function disorders, pleuritis, mesothelioma
11. Lung cancer
12. Hematologic malignancies and thymoma
13. Inflammatory disorders of the skin and non-melanocytic tumors of the skin and skin adnexa
14. Melanoma
15. Head and neck
16. Salivary glands
17. Breast pathology
18. Breast cancer molecular pathology
19. Female genital tract: cervix, uterus, and ovary
20. Female genital tract: predictive molecular pathology
21. Glomerular, tubulointerstitial, and vascular diseases of the kidney
22. Kidney cancer and urothelial carcinoma
23. Prostate
24. Testis
25. Mesenchymal tumors
26. Tumors of the pediatric age
27. CNS vascular lesions and diseases of the peripheral nervous system
28. Brain tumors
29. Endocrine System and Transplantation Pathology
30. Critical analysis of pathology reports
Prerequisites for admission
To take Clinical and surgical pathology exam, students must have already passed all the exams of the first and second year (Fundamentals of Basic Sciences, Cells, Molecules and Genes Genetics, Human Body, Functions 1 and 2 and Mechanisms of Diseases).
Teaching methods
Synchronous activities include live online lectures, virtual microscopy sessions, and case-based discussions. For asynchronous learning, we provide recorded lectures, annotated pathology reports, and self-paced virtual slide sets.
Teaching Resources
All lecture presentations (PowerPoint slides) will be made available to students and are intended to support and guide your learning throughout the course. However, they are not sufficient on their own to ensure full preparation for the exam or a deep understanding of the subject matter. To truly master the complexity of pathology, students are strongly encouraged to consult recommended textbooks (Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease is the best!), review selected scientific articles, and actively participate in class discussions. Take advantage of the professors' expertise—ask questions, challenge ideas, and engage in dialogue. Writing your own notes, summarizing key concepts, and connecting pathological findings with clinical scenarios will be essential to making the most of this learning experience.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam is designed to be an engaging and rewarding opportunity to apply what you've learned during the course. It includes two parts:
1. A brief 5-minute oral presentation of a clinical case, previously chosen by the student from the pathology reports provided and discussed in class. Students are expected to demonstrate their ability to interpret histopathological and molecular findings, correlate them with clinical data, and articulate the diagnostic and prognostic implications. No need for memorization, just clear thinking and good clinical insight!
2. One to two oral questions on broader topics covered during the course, aimed at assessing the student's understanding of pathology in a clinical context.
The grading scale ranges from 18 to 30 cum laude. Most students who actively follow the course and engage with the professors and the material are well prepared to succeed. To achieve the top score (30 cum laude), the student should be able to discuss the case and related topics with the confidence and reasoning comparable to that a young medical professional.
1. A brief 5-minute oral presentation of a clinical case, previously chosen by the student from the pathology reports provided and discussed in class. Students are expected to demonstrate their ability to interpret histopathological and molecular findings, correlate them with clinical data, and articulate the diagnostic and prognostic implications. No need for memorization, just clear thinking and good clinical insight!
2. One to two oral questions on broader topics covered during the course, aimed at assessing the student's understanding of pathology in a clinical context.
The grading scale ranges from 18 to 30 cum laude. Most students who actively follow the course and engage with the professors and the material are well prepared to succeed. To achieve the top score (30 cum laude), the student should be able to discuss the case and related topics with the confidence and reasoning comparable to that a young medical professional.
MED/08 - PATHOLOGY - University credits: 7
Lessons: 70 hours