EPISODE 19 - BEYOND THE BASICS: THE PATHOLOGY OF NET
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ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Take a glimpse through the microscope and learn how pathology determines your NET diagnosis and guides treatment. How does one interpret differing Ki-67 results from the same specimen? Why might a patient have two different Ki-67 results from different specimens? How does pathology distinguish G3 well-differentiated NET from NEC? How does pathology help with NET tumors of unknown origin? NET pathologist Dr. Andrew M. Bellizzi from the University of Iowa sheds light on just how much information a tiny tissue sample may contain.
MEET DR. ANDREW M. BELLIZZI
Andrew M. Bellizzi, M.D. is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Pathology at the University of Iowa. Dr. Bellizzi completed undergraduate work in Anthropology and Science Preprofessional Studies at the University of Notre Dame (‘00) and received his medical degree from Northwestern University (‘04). Following combined training in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at the University of Virginia (‘08), he completed a fellowship in Gastrointestinal and Liver Pathology at The Ohio State University (‘09). After two years as a junior faculty at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, he moved to Iowa in the Fall of 2011.
Dr. Bellizzi is the Director of Immunohistochemistry, GI Pathology, and the GI Pathology Fellowship at the University of Iowa. He is an active member of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, the American Society of Clinical Pathology, and the College of American Pathologists, including servingas the immediate past Chair of the USCAP Stowell-Orbison Award and the CAP Immunohistochemistry Committees. He is the Secretary-Treasurer of the International Society for Immunohistochemistry and Molecular Morphology and is an Associate (Reviews), Section (Immunohistochemistry), and Assistant Editor(GI pathology) of Applied Immunohistochemistry and Molecular Morphology, Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and the American Journal of Clinical Pathology, respectively.
Dr. Bellizzi’s research interests include the diagnosis, classification, and etiopathogenesis of human disease, with an emphasis on gastrointestinal, pancreatic, neuroendocrine, and hereditary tumors. His research program focuses on applications of diagnostic immunohistochemistry.
Outside of the office, Andrew enjoys “getting into trouble” with his 14 and 16- year-old boys, Aidan and Darby. In addition to “very special stains,” he also loves hiking, cooking, craft beer, Notre Dame football, the Boston Red Sox, and the Oxford comma.
TOP 10 QUESTIONS
1. What is Oncopathology?
2. What is immunohistochemistry, and what do patients need to know about it?
3. What is your opinion when you see that there are differing Ki-67 of the same tumor specimen? For example, one institution reports a Ki-67 of 3 and another one reports a Ki-67 of 10?
4. What would you say if you see that an individual has 2 to 3 biopsies with differing Ki-67? For example, a Ki-67 of 3, 5, and 8? Is there a problem with standardization?
5. When would you re-biopsy? Would we re-biopsy because of this?
6. Discuss G3 tumors. How are well-differentiated vs. poorly differentiated G3 tumors different, and how do you figure this out?
7. Discuss metastatic tumors of unknown origin. How can a pathologist help with tumors of unknown origin, particularly in NEC?
8. Should I get a second opinion on my pathology? If so, how is that done?
9. How long are pathology specimens typically stored? (What should I do if I get a phone call that now that it’s been over 10 years, the hospital will no longer store my specimen?)
10. What future advances do you look forward to that might bring hope to the NET Community?
RESOURCES
READ
WATCH
"Your Pathology & Your Pathology Report" with Dr. Sue Chang, City of HopeRecorded March 2020
LISTEN
DISCLAIMER
LACNETS Podcasts are created for educational purposes only and do not substitute for medical advice. The views shared in this Podcast are the personal opinions of the experts and do not necessarily reflect the views of LACNETS. Please contact your medical team with questions or concerns about your individual care or treatment.
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