Neuropathology Committee

• To define, monitor, and develop programs to promote quality assurance and performance improvement in neuropathology practice;
• To keep members informed of emerging technologies, policies, and other issues involving the field of neuropathology;
• To contribute to the continuing education of members through the design of and participation in CAP educational programs, self-assessment modules, and publications;
• To serve as the source of expertise in neuropathology and related practice, education, and research aspects to the CAP and its members;
• To foster relationships between neuropathologists and clinical colleagues in neurosurgery, neurology, neurooncology, and neuroradiology;
• To enhance patient care and management by promoting the role of neuropathologists as clinician collaborators in basic, clinical, and translational sciences;
• To promote the role of neuropathologists as educators to patients, students, trainees, and professional colleagues; and
• To maintain active liaisons with appropriate lay and professional organizations.

This committee reports to the Council on Scientific Affairs. View a list of the Current Committee Members.

Neuropathology Resources

• CAP Protocol for the Examination of Specimens from Patients with Tumors of the Central Nervous System
• Anatomic Pathology Education Programs

Activities of Committee

• Act as advisors to CAP regarding issues and practice of Neuropathology, including recommendations for handling and processing specific surgical and autopsy tissue samples.
• Monitor new and emerging issues/practices/technologies in neuropathology practice that may impact CAP members.
• Serve as interface with appropriate professional organizations (eg, current and former committee members are officers and hold leadership positions in the American Association of Neuropathologists).
• Contribute to continuing education of members:
  • Prepare new cases and discussions, and review responses for the Neuropathology (NP) Program
  • Support the CAP and other CAP committees and programs by providing:
    • Cases (clinical history, questions, discussion, and references) and paraffin blocks for the Performance Improvement in Surgical Pathology (PIP) Program
      • Cases (including clinical history, questions, discussion, references, and images) for the Autopsy (AU) Program
      • Questions/images for the Autopsy and Forensic Pathology Self-Assessment
      • Contribute to CAP publications (eg, chapters in Autopsy Performance and Reporting, 2nd edition, 2003)
  • Participate in educational programs at annual CAP meetings
  • Review and make recommendations regarding CAP Cancer Checklists

Expertise or Experience

• Practicing neuropathologists or surgical pathologist with subspecialty interest/expertise
• Interest in promoting pathology as a specialty and neuropathology as a subspecialty
• Interest in promoting excellence in neuropathology practice
• Ability to communicate with nonsubspecialists about neuropathology

Benefits of Committee Membership

• Opportunity to publish materials
• Opportunity to speak at education events
• Opportunity to promote neuropathology

Representation on Committee Beyond the CAP

• Provide liaisons with American Board of Pathology (ABP), American Association of Neuropathologists (AANP), other professional pathology and related societies, related lay associations, and various federal agencies as appropriate