Harvard Gastrointestinal, Liver, and Pancreatic Pathology 2026

• Target Audience: pathologists, gastroenterologists
• Sample video: contact me for sample video
• Information:

1. Overview

The Harvard Gastrointestinal, Liver, and Pancreatic Pathology 2026 course provides a comprehensive update on diagnostic surgical pathology, cytology, and molecular testing for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. The program covers neoplastic and non-neoplastic conditions, inflammatory disorders, and algorithmic approaches to biopsy interpretation to enhance diagnostic accuracy and clinical management.

The course is conducted by HMS faculty who are recognized experts in their respective fields and aims to provide a comprehensive overview of gastrointestinal, pancreas and liver pathology, with emphasis on new entities and recent advances in the discipline that will be of interest to trainees in pathology, and to community and academic pathologists, gastroenterologists, and others involved in the management of patients with disorders of the digestive system, pancreas, and liver. A systematic approach to interpretation of biopsy and resection specimens, using standard gross and microscopic techniques, will be emphasized along with judicious use of ancillary methods, such as immunohistochemistry and molecular pathology. The format includes didactic lectures and slide seminars with ample time for interaction with faculty and course directors. The course will assist participants in developing awareness about new entities, diagnostic tools and biomarkers of clinical significance, and assist them in using diagnostic strategies they can put in to use in their daily practice with the eventual goal of improved patient diagnosis and management.

2. Learning Objectives

Discuss updates in the WHO classification of tumors of the digestive system.

Identify newly described entities and criteria for the differential diagnosis of inflammatory disorders of the GI tract.

Evaluate morphological criteria and role of ancillary techniques in diagnosis of pre-neoplastic lesions of the GI tract.

Use screening methods for heritable cancers and standard of care biomarkers currently used for targeted therapy.

Recognize nuances of interpretation of morphological patterns in liver biopsy interpretation and how to integrate them with clinical findings to render a final diagnosis.

Recognize proper application and limitations of disease staging and grading systems.

Recognize common and uncommon hepatic tumors.

Recognize nuances of interpretation of morphological patterns in pancreatic biopsy interpretation and how to integrate them with clinical findings to render a final diagnosis.

3. Target Audience

Best for pathologists who want updates on gastrointestinal, liver, and pancreaticobiliary surgical pathology and neoplastic criteria.

Specialty Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and other advanced practice providers, Pathology Assistants and other laboratory staff, and Trainees.

4. Topics

01 Barrett’s Esophagus and Associated Neoplasia

02 Clinicians Perspective- Upper GI Tract

03 Upper GI Tract Inflammatory Conditions

04 Gastric Polyps and Precursor Lesions

05 Celiac Disease and its Differential Diagnosis

06 Slide Seminar on Upper GI Tract

07 Biopsy Diagnosis of Colitis

08 IBD Controversies and Challenges

09 Colon Polyps and Polyposis

10 Challenges in Colon Cancer Staging

11 Endocrine Tumors of the Tubal Gut

12 Slide Seminar on Infectious Disorders of the GI Tract

13 GIST From KIT to Succinate Dehydrogenase

14 Mesenchymal Tumors and Mesenchymal Polyps (Other than GIST)

15 GI Lymphomas

16 Molecular Diagnostics in GI Tract Malignancies

17 Anal Pathology Overview and Update

18 Appendiceal Tumors

19 Intraoperative Consultations in GI Pathology

20 Cytology and Small Biopsy Diagnosis of Pancreaticobiliary Tumors

21 Surgical Pathology of Pancreatic Tumors

22 Slide Seminar on Instructive Cases in Pancreatic Pathology

23 Gallbladder and Biliary Tract Pathology

24 Liver 1 Approach to Acute Hepatitis

25 Liver 2 Porto-Sinusoidal Vascular Disease

26 Clinicians Perspective on Liver Biopsies

27 Autoimmune Hepatitis and Mimickers

28 Liver 3 Cholestatic Disorders

29 Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Mimickers