20 July 2012: International survey on Pathology in Rare Cancers launched
Rare Cancers Europe (RCE) and the European Society of Pathology (ESP) have jointly launched an international survey on Pathology in Rare Cancers today. All healthcare professionals working in pathology are invited to participate in this survey by completing a short online questionnaire.
The questionnaire only takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. The expected outcome of this survey is a set of recommendations on what should be done to effectively improve the accuracy of pathology in the field of rare cancers. The survey was also conducted at the 24th European Congress of Pathology. Pathology – Science for Patients, held from 8-13 September 2012 in Prague, Czech Republic.
Pathology reports set the foundation for successful cancer care. However, many pathologists may be confronted with a specific rare cancer perhaps once or twice in their entire professional career. This is why diagnosing rare cancers accurately can present a real challenge for a pathologist. At the same time, it is extremely important, especially in the field of rare cancers, to combine information from biology, pathology and clinical practice to set up an appropriate treatment plan.
The European Society of Pathology is a partner in the Rare Cancers Europe multi-stakeholder initiative, which is led by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and currently includes 30 independent national and international partners. The aims of the European Society of Pathology are to advance pathology in Europe and to facilitate communication between European pathologists.
Rare Cancers Europe aims to address issues of particular relevance in rare cancers, also including late or incorrect diagnosis. Given the potential harm resulting from misdiagnosis, the European Society of Pathology and Rare Cancers Europe have decided to join forces to conduct this survey with a view to identifying related issues and challenges as well as potential solutions.
The survey will remain open until 31 October 2012 and the results will be published on the Rare Cancers Europe Web site. For more information on the European Society of Pathology, visit the ESP Web site.
To participate in the online survey, please click here.
If you prefer to download and complete and/or forward the questionnaire in WORD or PDF format, please click on one of the following links:
The contact information for returning completed questionnaires by email or fax is given on the questionnaire.
200. Call to Action