Pathological Anatomy 2

The Complex Structure of Pathological Anatomy 2 is part of the Department of Services and Advanced Diagnostics.

Its mission is to advance precision oncology by combining histopathological diagnostics with genomic and transcriptomic molecular characterization. The following subunits are part of the Complex Structure:

• Molecular Hematopathology;
• Molecular Diagnostics and Research;
• Soft Tissue Tumors.

The Complex Structure carries out its specific activities in accordance with internal quality protocols, which are periodically reviewed and updated.

The Department’s activities include:

• histological/cytological examinations of surgical and/or biopsy specimens from the Foundation’s clinical departments and/or external patients
• intraoperative histological examinations to support surgical procedures
• genetic-molecular analysis of tissue for prognostic and predictive factors in oncology using the following methods:

- Fluorescence in situ hybridization and brightfield hybridization
- Flow cytometry
- Cytogenetics
- Direct sequencing
- PCR
- Massive parallel sequencing (next-generation sequencing)
- DNA microarrays
- RNA sequencing

• Specialized consulting services for the Foundation’s facilities and/or external clients
• Assessment of minimal residual disease and tumor progression with reference to resistance mechanisms in liquid biopsy (cfDNA, ctDNA, CTC).

Specific areas of expertise include:

• Hematologic and Lymphatic Pathology (adult and pediatric)
• Breast Cancers
• Soft Tissue Cancers
• Thoracic Cancers
• Molecular Tumor Board (in collaboration with the Department of Oncology)
• Extensive Molecular Profiling of Tissue and Liquid Biopsy.

The Department handles all activities related to molecular pathology: it has established a nationally recognized NGS laboratory, which performs approximately 2,500 extended molecular profiling tests annually for personalized drug therapy and for recruitment into clinical trials.

The Department has an agreement with the University of Milan and is home to the School of Specialization in Pathological Anatomy.

Professional training for residents in Pathological Anatomy, including direct mentoring and assistance with the preparation of their thesis. 

Internal functional relationships primarily involve:

• Strategic Management
• Scientific Management
• Board of Auditors
• Staff units reporting to Strategic Management and Scientific Management
• Organizational units within the Foundation’s administrative and functional departments.

External functional relationships primarily involve:

• The University of Milan and other national universities
• Regional and national IRCCS (Scientific Institutes for Research, Hospitalization, and Healthcare)
• Centers of Excellence
• Oncology Societies (AIOM and ESMO)
• Pathology Societies (SIAPEC and ESP)
• European School of Oncology (ESO)
• Lombardy Region (specifically the General Directorate for Welfare and the Budget Directorate)
• ATS and ASST of the Province and the Region.