January Workshops

To register and access for the recorded 2027 workshops, click here.
Registration includes access both to the live workshop (if applicable) and the recording. Each workshop offers 2 CME.

Each workshop was offered as a live, virtual presentation inclusive of live Q&A. The live portion was recorded and made available to registrants for one year after the live workshop date. Each workshop occurred from 12:00pm – 2:00pm EST on the following dates:

The Pediatric CNS Embryonal Tumors

January 8th, 2027

  • Mireille Bitar, MD (University Of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) Medical Center)

  • Arie Perry, MD (University of California San Francisco (UCSF))

Embryonal brain tumors account for approximately 13% of primary brain tumors in children, but several types within that category are extremely rare and diagnostically challenging. Although there is significant variability, histologically these tumors are grouped together because they are at least partially composed of primitive-appearing cells (blue cell tumors on standard staining) with little cytoplasm, which are densely packed, show limited differentiation, and demonstrate high proliferative activity. The most recent World Health Organization 2021 Classification (WHO CNS5), based on an integrated taxonomy with a strong emphasis on molecular profiling, established two major families: medulloblastomas and other CNS embryonal tumors. Medulloblastoma is the most common embryonal brain tumor and is further divided into four major molecular groups and various subgroups with highly distinct demographic, clinicopathologic, biologic, and therapeutic associations. As such, accurate medulloblastoma subclassification has become critical for individualized patient management in the modern era. At the same time, some morphologic features, such as large cell/anaplastic cytology remain prognostically relevant. Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor is analogous to renal and extrarenal rhabdoid tumors elsewhere and can be similarly subdivided into 3 major molecular groups, although the clinical implications are not currently as clear as in medulloblastomas. At least a couple of new types have also been proposed since the WHO 2021 scheme. Although generally listed with the pineal parenchymal tumors, pineoblastoma is also a CNS embryonal tumor, with 4 distinct molecular groups now recognized. The remaining tumor types are much rarer and mostly present in infants and very young children. These include the embryonal tumor with multilayered rosettes (with 2-3 molecular groups), cribriform neuroepithelial tumor, CNS neuroblastoma FOXR2-activated, and CNS tumor with BCOR internal tandem duplication. A significant subset of CNS embryonal tumors also arise within a tumor predisposition syndrome and the pathologist may be the first to recognize this potential; as such, it is incumbent on us to recognize the most common associations, to afford the family an opportunity to obtain further testing and genetic counseling in the appropriate scenarios, if they desire to know. . 

Vascular Anomalies in the Molecular Era: Practical Applications of the ISSVA Classification and Molecular Testing

January 15th, 2027

  • Alyaa Al-Ibraheemi, MD (Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School)
  • Catherine Gestrich, DO (UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh/University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine)

​​Vascular anomalies encompass a variety of entities including malformations and tumors, ranging from benign to malignant. These are uncommon entities and can present a diagnostic challenge. There have also been many updates in the diagnosis of vascular anomalies with the new International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) classification that was released in 2025. Given the increased utilization of molecular testing, we now know that vascular anomalies often harbor genomic alterations in genes involved in the PI3K/mTOR and RAS/MAPK pathways. Detection of these alterations may have diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic significance, as well as aid in the identification of associated syndromes. However, vascular anomalies present several unique challenges when it comes to molecular testing. These include low variant allele frequency (VAF) of mutations, lack of panels specifically designed for vascular anomalies, implications of testing (i.e. germline alterations or somatic mosaic disorders), among several others. Pediatric pathologists often encounter vascular anomalies in clinical practice and need to be able to recognize them histologically, as well as understand the role of molecular testing in the work-up. The goal of this course is to update pathologists on the new classification of vascular anomalies, guide them on how utilize molecular testing in the work-up, understand the challenges of molecular testing in vascular anomalies, and how to interpret the results.​

Challenging Diagnoses in Pediatric Renal Path

January 22nd, 2027

  • ​​Laura Biederman, MD​ (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Center)
  • ​Laura Finn, MD (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia / University of Pennsylvania)

​​This workshop will be divided into 2 portions. The first is a brief lecture on a pattern-based approach to biopsies. Because renal diseases have a pattern of injury that is not specific to a given diagnosis, this initial portion will focus on a brief review of patterns of injury by light microscopy and their implications. This will be a review for practicing pathologists and a base for trainees. Accordingly, we will also use this opportunity to discuss nuances of patterns that can be challenging for seasoned renal pathologists and can create diagnostic dilemmas such as differentiating florid mesangial hypercellularity from endocapillary hypercellularity and defining a membranoproliferative pattern of injury.

Because we would like this to be interactive and allow participants to ask questions and raise practice concerns, we have opted to discuss fewer cases. However, if there is additional time we will have additional slides prepared.​

A Practical Guide to Wilms Tumor: Navigating Challenges and Avoiding Pitfalls

January 29th, 2027

  • ​Lauren Parsons, MD​ (Children's Wisconsin/Medical College of Wisconsin​​)
  • ​Amy Trecee, MD​ (Children's of Alabama​​)

Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common malignant renal tumor of childhood. Despite this, there are only approximately 500-600 cases diagnosed per year in the United States, limiting the exposure of most pediatric pathologists to a few cases of WT per year. Additionally, while most tumors are resected prior to therapy, an increasing number of WT are resected following neoadjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation, introducing unique challenges to accurate classification and staging of these tumors. The purpose of this workshop is to provide learners with strategies to accurately distinguish WT from other common mimickers, review pitfalls in diagnosis and staging, and elucidate post therapy histologic classification and staging. Finally, updates will be provided in the context of new cooperative clinical trials with emphasis on issues impacting pathologists.

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