Advances in minimally invasive thoracic sampling techniques allow pathologists and laboratories to perform multiple ancillary studies on small biopsy and cytology specimens. But with small specimens, ensuring optimum diagnostic yield and judicious triaging of these limited volume samples to perform an ever-growing list of ancillary studies is a challenge, according to Dr. Sinchita Roy-Chowdhuri.

In this CAPcast, Dr. Roy-Chowdhuri, discusses the new CAP guideline, Collection and Handling of Thoracic Small Biopsy and Cytology Specimens for Ancillary Studies, which provides recommendations for pathologists and proceduralists to optimize testing outcomes for patients with suspected thoracic abnormalities. Dr. Roy-Chowdhuri will be teaching a course on this new guideline at CAP19, which will be held Sept. 21-25 in Orlando, Florida (www.capannualmeeting.org).