Pharma

Biography

Professor Mahmoud Khalifa obtained his Medical Degree from Cairo, Egypt where he subsequently received his Master's Degree and PhD in Pathology.  He trained in pathology at the Universities of Oklahoma, George Washington and Georgetown as well as the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, DC.  He is certified by the American Board of Pathology and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.  He held several laboratory medicine leadership positions in distinguished North American Universities.  He is currently the Medical Director of Anatomic Pathology at the University of Minnesota.  Dr. Khalifa’s professional career focuses on Gynecologic Pathology and patient safety.

Abstract

With the introduction of new Cancer treatment modalities, pathologists are constantly challenged to make clinically actionable diagnoses that will guide modern therapeutics. Gynecologic oncology is one area where even minor variations in the pathologic diagnosis could significantly impact the way a clinician may tailor their plan. Neoadjuvant therapy, two-step-surgical staging, and adjuvant radiation therapy are only few examples of what could be offered to patients depending on the clinicians' understanding of the subtle language in the pathology report.  This talk will draw attention of practicing pathologists to problematic clinical scenarios that may not be immediately evident in the specimens they encounter on daily basis.  In these scenarios, the clinicians may be looking for trigger features that they perceive as crucial for their planning.  Defining the clinical relevance of these issues is key to keeping the Pathologists engaged as active members of the multidisciplinary management team.  Real-life examples will be presented with in-depth discussions of not only the differential diagnoses, but also the clinical relevance of each of the possible diagnoses. Attendants will be able to recognize how the slight change of diagnosis, wording or even describing the salient features of their diagnoses may result in different management course.  The talk will also explore tools that can help address these issues and ensure the highest patient safety.  It will stimulate the discussion around considering even further solutions.