Evaluation of Opportunities to Improve Hematopathology Diagnosis for Vietnam Pathologists

Abstract Objectives We evaluate the need for, feasibility of, and impediments to improving hematopathology diagnoses for cancer hospitals in Vietnam. Methods Two hematopathologists from the United States visited three major cancer treatment hospitals in Vietnam to workshop a sampling of difficult he...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of clinical pathology 2017-11, Vol.148 (6), p.529-537
Main Authors: Dayton, Vanessa, Nguyen, Chi Kim, Van, Trinh Thu, Thanh, Nguyen Van, To, Ta Van, Hung, Nguyen Phi, Dung, Nguyen Ngoc, Milner, Danny A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antigens, CD - metabolism
Cancer
Diagnosis
Hematologic Diseases - diagnosis
Hematologic Diseases - pathology
Histopathology
Hospitals
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Immunohistochemistry - methods
Internship and Residency - methods
Laboratories
Medical diagnosis
Neoplasms - diagnosis
Neoplasms - pathology
Pathology
Quality control
Referral and Consultation
United States
Vietnam
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Summary:Abstract Objectives We evaluate the need for, feasibility of, and impediments to improving hematopathology diagnoses for cancer hospitals in Vietnam. Methods Two hematopathologists from the United States visited three major cancer treatment hospitals in Vietnam to workshop a sampling of difficult hematopathology cases. With Vietnamese pathologists, they toured histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and ancillary laboratory facilities. Results Automated tissue processors and slide staining equipment were documented for each of the three hospitals. Between seven and 11 hematopathology cases were reviewed for each hospital. Exact/complete diagnostic concordance was 50% or less for all three laboratories. The major impediments to accurate specific diagnoses were limitations of immunohistochemical stains, limited stains available in house, and, for one of the hospitals, difficulty with interpretation of the immunohistochemistry. Conclusions Vietnamese pathologists would benefit from hematopathology training or opportunities to consult with hematopathologists in the United States. Expert hematopathology consultation services are currently unavailable within Vietnam, as postgraduate training for laboratory physicians consists of residency training in anatomic pathology only. Limitations in the quality of histopathology and immunohistochemistry could impose a barrier to success of efforts to improve hematopathology diagnosis. Implementation of a histopathology and immunohistochemistry quality improvement program might overcome this limitation.
ISSN:0002-9173
1943-7722
DOI:10.1093/ajcp/aqx108