INCTR, with the support of the NCI Office of AIDS Malignancies is working to establish improved pathological diagnosis in the context of its African study of HIV+ and HIV- Burkitt lymphoma in equatorial Africa. The goal is central pathology review related to the clinical studies.
As a part of this process a team of 5 pathologists visited several participating centers to assess available resources and to review cases previously diagnosed. Some cases that were not diagnosable in the absence of modern reagents will be studied in the laboratories of the participating pathologists and the results of this process will be discussed at a workshop to take place early next year – a workshop that should have considerable educational value. In addition, a telepathology program built on iPATH, a web-based application developed at the University of Basel, will be introduced with the objective of using this for review, consultation and education (continuing and post-graduate).
Case discussion at the Department of Pathology at the Muhimbili University hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (Photo provided by: Nina Hurwitz)