During the Annual Convention of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in Puerto Rico, topics such as dysplasia in inflammatory bowel disease and the management of Barrett’s esophagus were highlighted.
By: Maria Camila Sanchez
April 15, 2024
On the occasion of the recent Annual Convention of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine carried out last weekend, the Medicine and Public Health Magazine spoke exclusively with Dr. Gloria Ramos, president of the Pathology Academy and Laboratory Medicine, who explained the main advances that were announced at the event.
“Last year we brought digital pathology, and this year we brought a head and neck specialist, but we also have gastrointestinal specialists, a hematologist and a breast specialist,” she mentioned.
The truth is that with the participation of experts in different areas, there is a more tangible exchange of information. On this occasion, topics were addressed from the updating of the guidelines for the management of thyroid nodules, dysplasia in the inflammatory bowel disease (EII), differences in the diagnosis and management of colon adenoma and carcinoma, diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus, to mention just a few.
Most of the attendees at this activity are pathologists, and “they come to acquire new knowledge in these new diagnostic techniques, handling of specimens in pathology.”
New fronts to the challenges presented
As expected, during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, these types of events had to be suspended until the appropriate way to develop them in digital environments was found. However, after the lifting of restrictions, but more familiar with technological tools, the development of the latest conventions has involved the comfort of a shared space, without leaving aside the digital tools that favor a more dynamic environment.
“We are returning to what is the in-person convention, but at the same time we returned to the website, we reorganized it and there we are adding all the conferences that we are giving, at least the presentation format, so that it is available to the members of the academy”.
Dysplasia in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Medical literature defines dysplasia as the presence of abnormal cells in a tissue or an organ, without being directly linked to the presence of cancer, although it does increase the risk of its development. This condition is classified as mild, moderate, or severe, depending on how abnormal the cells look under the microscope, and the number of them in the affected tissues.
As mentioned, one of the main topics discussed on this occasion was the dysplasia experienced in patients with inflammatory bowel disease focused on detection methods, treatment options, and the intervention of new technological tools, such as artificial intelligence, for the management of this condition.
“The best thing we do is colonoscopy every 1 to 3 years, and many colon biopsies,” said the Dr. Karen Moreno Prats, Specialist in Gastrointestinal, Hepatic, and Pancreatic Pathology and member of the University of Utah School of Medicine.
Why does dysplasia occur?
According to the specialist, the most recent advances regarding the subject point to a possible relationship between high levels of inflammation and the development of dysplasia in the EII.
“The more inflammation there is, and the less screening studies are done, this can lead to the progression of the disease.”
Treatment options available
However, there is no standard treatment model for dysplasia in inflammatory bowel disease. This depends directly on the degree of dysplasia found in the patient, and how many lesions there are.
However, in general, “if they have low-grade dysplasia, and they have only one lesion, if resection can be done in the colonoscopy it is fine. Now, if it is something a little more advanced, the lesion is larger or the dysplasia is high grade, you have to do surgery and remove the affected fragment of the colon, or the entire colon.”
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