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The College of American Pathologists offers these protocols to assist pathologists in providing clinically useful and relevant information when reporting results of surgical specimen examinations of surgical specimens. The College [...]

This article focuses on the use of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the differential diagnosis of a relatively common diagnostic scenario, the 'histologically undifferentiated, pleomorphic spindle cell tumor involving the skin.' Applications [...], Context.--Pleomorphic cutaneous spindle cell tumors can be difficult to distinguish solely on histologic grounds. The use of ancillary immunohistochemical studies can greatly assist in this differential diagnosis. Objective.--To review histologic and immunohistochemical aspects of cutaneous spindle cell tumors and discuss a basic panel of markers to assist in the differential diagnosis. Data Sources.--English-language literature published between 1981 and 2005. Conclusions.--A basic immunohistochemistry panel for high-molecular-weight cytokeratin, melanocytic markers (S100 protein, HMB-45, Melan-A), smooth muscle actin, desmin, and endothelial markers (CD31, CD34) is effective in diagnosing most cutaneous spindle cell tumors.

Consultations in surgical pathology are a routine exercise in most laboratories. In 1993, the Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology published recommendations to help optimize the consultation process. [...]

The article offers protocols developed by the College of American Pathologists that will help pathologists in reporting clinically useful and relevant information about surgical specimen examinations of patients with carcinoma of the distal extrahepatic bile ducts. Elements of the protocols were presented in "Surgical Pathology Cancer Case Summary" that are essentials to pathologic reporting. Discussions of disease histologic evaluation, classification, and pathologic staging are also presented.