Practical experience of the Sechenov University Reference Centre for immunohistochemical, pathomorphological, molecular genetic diagnostic methods

Against the background of a steady increase in the number of oncological diseases, as well as the complexity of the primary morphological diagnosis of malignant neoplasms (MNT) and precancerous conditions, especially in the regions of the Russian Federation, in 2019, the creation of a number of Reference Centers (RCs) for immunohistochemical, pathomorphological, molecular genetic methods was initiated research within the framework of the federal project “Fight against oncological diseases”. In 2020, on the basis of the centralized pathoanatomical department of the Clinical Center of Sechenov University, the RC began its work.

 Aim. To analyze the work of the RC of Sechenov University and compare the results obtained with the tasks of the federal project.

Materials and methods. The data of histological, immunohistochemical studies from the registers of receipt of biopsy (surgical) materials and the issuance of the results of intravital pathoanatomical studies (account forms 014-2 / y and 057-y / 04), as well as data from the Telemedicine system of remote consultations, were analyzed.

 Results. For 21 months of work, the RC consulted 1476 requests received from 70 constituent entities of the Russian Federation. More than 10 % of reference diagnoses were made in a remote format through the Telemedicine system of remote consultations at the federal and regional levels using digital pathology techniques.

Conclusion. Despite the obvious need for the work of RCs, there are still a number of issues that have a signifcant impact on the quality of diagnostic processes: specialization of specifc RCs, expansion of the range of incoming clinical and morphological diagnoses. It also requires attention to regularly improve the skills of RC employees in Russian and international educational systems and to equip the RC, frst of all, with virtual resources. The experience of the RC has demonstrated the importance of a second medical expert opinion in the primary diagnosis and verifcation of the diagnosis of malignant neoplasms of various localizations for the regions of the Russian Federation, where the acute problem is the general shortage of general pathologists and expert doctors.

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