DIAG300-0415: Oncology and Tumor Pathology I
The lectures for this course will be presented in a predominantly audio format.
Please come prepared to listen.

Enrollment is closed.

Instructor(s): Dr. med. vet. habil. Matti Kiupel, PhD, DACVP
Craig A. Clifford, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology)
Phil Bergman, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM (Oncology)
Rebecca Smedley, DVM, MS, DACVP

Course Open: April 7-June 5, 2015
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Tuesdays, April 14, 21, 28, May 12, 19, and 26, 2015; 8:00-10:00 pm ET (US)
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter

Practice Sessions: In order to prepare you for a successful experience in your CE course, we request you attend a Practice Session prior to the first Real Time Session. Please arrive promptly at the start time; each Practice Session is up to 1 hour in length. For more information, please visit the CE Practice Area.

*The instructors for this course will be using audio which will require you to have a headset or speakers to listen. If you have any concerns regarding your computer's audio capabilities, please be sure to attend one of the Practice Sessions.

Level and Prerequisites: This advanced course will be open to veterinarians actively interested in canine and feline oncology and tumor pathology. Participants should have a strong interest and/or experience in oncology.
VIN CE Course: Open to veterinarians. This course is approved by RACE for veterinarians. The Veterinary Information Network (VIN) is RACE Provider #22.

Course Description:
This course is the first of two modules on oncology and tumor pathology. The second module (DIAG301-0416: Oncology and Tumor Pathology II) will be offered in April, 2016.

This course will familiarize participants with the current state of tumor diagnosis and prognosis as well as therapeutic interventions. Following an overview of principles and advances in surgical pathology and an introduction to clinical oncology, the course will cover canine mast cell tumors, canine and feline lymphomas, endocrine tumors and tumors of the urinary tract.

The pathology segments will discuss the classical histologic criteria to diagnosis and prognosticate neoplastic diseases including the newest grading systems. Furthermore, the participants will be introduced to modern molecular pathology tests that further our prognostic capabilities and help determine therapeutic protocols, such as immunohistochemical tumor diagnostic and prognostic panels.

From the clinical oncology perspective, this course will familiarize the participants with the basic surgical aspects of veterinary oncology including: routine staging of patients, proper aspirate and biopsy techniques as well as the preferred approach for a definitive surgery when appropriate. The remaining lectures are designed to highlight the etiology (with an emphasis on the latest research regarding genetic aspects of the specific tumor type) and typical signalment, clinical signs, staging, diagnosis, therapy and prognosis for specific histologies. A special emphasis will be provided on the latest research for each cancer type regarding the use of novel targeted therapies when appropriate.

This course consists of six (6) 2-hour Real Time Sessions, supplemental library materials, interactive message board discussions, and a mandatory end-of-course test. Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course.

To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.

*The lecture portion of this course will be an audio presentation, please be prepared to listen.

Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to

• submit high quality tumor biopsy samples for microscopic evaluation, margin evaluation, and advanced molecular testing from various organs.
• recognize the current histologic grading schemes for the neoplastic entities discussed.
• understand and integrate advanced molecular testing for determining tumor prognosis and for therapeutic decision making.
• demonstrate an understanding of the indications for and differences between incisional and excisional biopsies.
• demonstrate an understanding of the difference between staging and grading while also gaining an appreciation for general staging recommendations for the various cancers covered in the course.
• recognize the etiology (with an emphasis on the latest research regarding genetic aspects of the specific tumor type) and typical signalment, clinical signs, staging, diagnosis, therapy and prognosis for:
  • Mast cell tumors
  • Lymphoma
  • Endocrine tumors
  • Tumors of the urinary tract
• demonstrate an appreciation for the latest research for each cancer type regarding the use of novel targeted therapies when appropriate.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.

Required Textbook(s): There is no required textbook for this course.

About the Instructors:
Dr. Matti Kiupel is a board certified veterinary pathologist with extensive experience in tumor pathology and molecular pathology. He is Professor at Michigan State University and Section Chief of Anatomic Pathology at the Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health. Dr. Kiupel is an internationally renowned speaker and has won numerous lecturer awards and authored more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific publications. Together with Dr. Smedley he is editor of the WSAVA online atlas of Tumor Classification of Domestic Animals.

Dr. Phil Bergman is a medical oncologist and the Director of Clinical Studies for VCA at the Katonah-Bedford Veterinary Center, a 24/7 Specialty/ER center in Westchester County, NY. He is the principal veterinary investigator for the recently fully licensed canine melanoma vaccine (Oncept) available from Merial. Dr. Bergman is an adjunct faculty member of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and will continue/expand his cancer vaccine program within the VCA Antech network.

Dr. Craig Clifford is a medical oncologist and the Director of Clinical Studies for Hope Veterinary Specialists in Malvern PA. Dr. Clifford is a well renowned oncologist who has authored/co-authored over 30 papers and book chapters. He was responsible for the creation of resident review sponsored by the Veterinary Cancer Society and the Northeast Veterinary Co-operative Oncology Group. He is a frequent lecturer at major veterinary meetings in the USA and internationally. Dr. Clifford is currently serving on the VCS executive board, the ACVIM Exam Rating Committee, the Residency Training and Credentials Committee and is the Co-chair of the Standards of Excellence in Residency Education Task Force.

Rebecca Smedley is a board certified veterinary pathologist with extensive experience in tumor pathology and molecular pathology. She is an Academic Specialist at the Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health at Michigan State University. Dr. Smedley is first and collaborating author on a large number of peer-reviewed scientific publications in the field of tumor pathology and has been an invited speaker on these topics to national and international scientific conferences. Together with Dr. Kiupel she is editor of the WSAVA online atlas of Tumor Classification of Domestic Animals.

Course Outline:
Week 1 (Real Time Session April 14): Tumor Pathology and Clinical Oncology Basics
Instructor(s): Dr. med. vet. habil. Matti Kiupel, PhD, DACVP
Craig A. Clifford, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology)
Phil Bergman, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM (Oncology)
Rebecca Smedley, DVM, MS, DACVP
Content:

• Overview of tumor growth
• Advantages and disadvantages of cytology versus histology
• Proper collection and submission of a biopsy
• Understanding trimming methods and margin evaluation
• Reading a pathology report
• Why worry about cancer in pets?
• The etiology of cancer
• The hallmarks of cancer
• Basics of tumor biology and metastasis
• Review of paraneoplastic syndromes

Week 2 (Real Time Session April 21): Canine Mast Cell Tumors
Instructor(s): Dr. med. vet. habil. Matti Kiupel, PhD, DACVP
Rebecca Smedley, DVM, MS, DACVP
Phil Bergman, DVM, MS, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM (Oncology)
Content:

• Prognostication of canine cutaneous mast cell tumors: classical and current histologic grading systems (three tier versus two tier)
• Proliferation analysis
• Role of c-Kit mutations and KIT expression
• Evaluation for spread to regional lymph nodes
• Review of staging recommendations
• Outcomes from surgical removal and recurrence rates in face of clean vs incomplete margins
• When is additional therapy required after surgery?
• Indications for and expectations of outcome with use of radiation, chemo and/or TKI's

Week 3 (Real Time Session April 28): Canine Lymphoma
Instructor(s): Dr. med. vet. habil. Matti Kiupel, PhD, DACVP
Rebecca Smedley, DVM, MS, DACVP
Craig A. Clifford, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology)
Content:

• Overview of current classification of canine malignant lymphomas
• Advantages and disadvantages of fine needle versus surgical biopsies
• Role of immunophenotyping and clonality testing
• Differentiation between chemosensitive and chemoresistant diffuse large B-cell lymphomas
• Introduction to "indolent" lymphomas
• Review of staging recommendations
• Review of the prognostic factors in dogs with lymphoma
• Understanding the prognostic and therapeutic importance of lymphoma phenotyping
• General understanding of standard induction and relapse lymphoma protocols
• From a clinician perspective understanding the difference between
"high grade" lymphoma and indolent lymphoma and how that impacts therapy.

***** BREAK - May 5 - BREAK *****

Week 4 (Real Time Session May 12): Feline Lymphoma
Instructor(s): Dr. med. vet. habil. Matti Kiupel, PhD, DACVP
Rebecca Smedley, DVM, MS, DACVP
Craig A. Clifford, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology)
Content:

• Differentiation between inflammatory bowel disease and enteric lymphoma
• Role of immunophenotyping and clonality testing
• Review of staging recommendations
• Basic understanding behind the etiology of feline lymphoma
• Review of treatment recommendations for high grade lymphoma at several
anatomic sites vs. low grade intestinal lymphoma

Week 5 (Real Time Session May 19): Endocrine Tumors
Instructor(s): Dr. med. vet. habil. Matti Kiupel, PhD, DACVP
Rebecca Smedley, DVM, MS, DACVP
Phil Bergman, DVM, MS, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM (Oncology)
Content:

• Morphologic and immunohistochemical diagnosis of thyroid, parathyroid, pancreatic, adrenal, and other neuroendocrine carcinomas in dogs and cats
• Staging recommendations for various endocrine tumors
• Treatment recommendations and expectations of outcome for endocrine tumors

Week 6 (Real Time Session May 26): Transitional Cell Carcinomas
Instructor(s): Dr. med. vet. habil. Matti Kiupel, PhD, DACVP
Rebecca Smedley, DVM, MS, DACVP
Phil Bergman, DVM, MS, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM (Oncology)
Content:

• Overview of current classification of bladder and renal tumors
• Morphologic and immunohistochemical prognostication of transitional cell carcinomas (TCC's)
• Staging recommendations for urinary TCC's
• Treatment options and expectations of outcome in canine and feline TCC's

CE Credits: 12

Tuition: Member $252 ($227 early bird special if enrolled by March 24, 2015)
Non-Member $374 ($337 early bird special if enrolled by March 24, 2015)

*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on April 14, 2015 at 5 pm ET (USA) or when the maximum number of participants is reached.
*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.

To Enroll:
Enrollment is closed.

1. Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member and non-member veterinarians. Veterinarians enrolling in a VSPN CE course must be a VIN member. Veterinary support staff must be a VSPN member to enroll in a VSPN CE or a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
2. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
3. Each person is individually responsible for his/her own registration. To ensure that all information received is secure and correct, please do not enroll for a course on behalf of another individual.
4. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email CEonVIN@vin.com. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.

*Note: "This course is approved for 12 continuing education credits in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval; however participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education." Call VIN CE at 800-846-0028 ext. 797 for further information. (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition by their board).

Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to the listed start date of the course. If you wish to withdraw after the start date please contact the VIN office 800-846-0028 ext. 797 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.
* Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN office at 800-846-0028 ext. 797.

*For more information on VIN's upcoming CE courses, check the VIN Course Catalog.

Katherine James, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)
VIN Education Coordinator

VIN CE Services: CEonVIN@vin.com
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 797
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01452 226154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357

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