This past October I was at the XXVII Brazilian Society of Pathology meeting in Buzios, Brazil where I was invited to give a few lectures on breast pathology.  I gave one lecture on the traditional grading of breast cancer vs. the new molecular tests that are available. The audience response made me think more on the topic, so two weeks later I presented a very similar talk to the Washington State Society of Pathologists here in Seattle.  Again, the audience response made me realize there is a lot that we pathologists need to do in order to better standardize our grading of breast cancer and how the newer molecular tests are changing the way we categorize breast cancer.  I also think the pathology community should pursue a means of incorporating the histologic grading of breast cancer into the current staging of breast cancer, a topic that has been discussed before but clearly needs more attention.

I’ve attached my lecture from Brazil with a few additions after speaking at the Seattle meeting.  I apologize that this is meant for pathologists, but I hope you find some of it interesting. If you have questions or comments, feel free to contact us.

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