He must be able to recognize and diagnose at a macroscopic and microscopic level the morphological alterations of organs, tissues and cells in cytological preparations, in biopsy material and during diagnostic findings. To this end, the specialist in pathological anatomy must acquire the necessary skills in the application and diagnostic interpretation in human pathology of anatomical, histological, cytological, histochemical, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and molecular biology methods, as well as skills in the use of methods related to quality control and quantitative evaluations. Specific areas of expertise of the specialist in pathological anatomy are autopsy, macroscopic, histopathological, cytopathological, intraoperative histocytopathological, ultrastructural diagnostics and the biomolecular characterization of lesions of cells, tissues and organs and of the whole organism, aimed at diagnosing them, also useful for prognostic and therapeutic orientation, and for the epicritical evaluation of the diagnosis and anatomical-clinical correlates.

The student will be able to compete for the diploma after completing the professionalizing activities.

As part of the training course, the student will have to learn the scientific bases of the type of School in order to achieve full maturity and professional competence that includes an adequate ability to interpret scientific innovations and critical knowledge that allows him to consciously manage both assistance and his own updating; In this context, participation in meetings, congresses and the production of scientific publications and periods of attendance in qualified Italian and foreign institutions useful for his/her training may be envisaged.

The following are compulsory professionalizing activities for the achievement of the educational purposes of the type:

• have carried out (and certified) at least 40 necropsy diagnostic findings, including the related histopathological study;  
• the macroscopic description and sampling of at least 1,200 operating pieces;  
• the microscopic description and histopathological diagnosis, with the possible complement of histochemical, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and molecular biology investigations, of at least 4,000 cases;
• the microscopic description and cytopathological diagnosis of at least 1,600 cases, including those of aspiration cytology with a fine needle;  
• participation in the preparation and reporting of at least 200 cases of intraoperative diagnosis, and at least 50 molecular diagnoses on tissue lesions.

In addition, the specialist must demonstrate that:

• Possess an in-depth knowledge of the signs, symptoms and mechanisms of morbid processes, as well as the correlation between clinical and morphological pictures.
• Know the scientific background of the pathology in terms of disease mechanisms, diagnostic criteria and clinical significance;
• Be able to make macroscopic descriptions of the samples, adequately documenting the essential diagnostic elements, and using iconographic documentation techniques where necessary;
• Know how to sample surgical pieces for histological examination following recognized guidelines;
• Examine the histological and cytological preparations with a logical and coherent approach, taking into consideration the clinical information and specific questions posed by the requesting physician;
• Be able to describe the pathological pictures in a concise and detailed way, focusing on observations aimed at formulating a complete, clear and understandable report;
• To be able to use the methods of digitization of histological preparations, and to be aware of the applications of virtual imaging in the field of external diagnostic consultations and in the educational field;
• Be able to request and interpret the appropriate additional investigations (histochemical staining, immunohistochemistry, biomolecular investigations) if they are necessary for the formulation of the report;
• Know and apply the legal regulations of necropsy medicine;
• To be able to independently perform a complete necropsy diagnostic finding and to formulate a correct epicrisis;
• Be aware of the medico-legal implications of storing samples and reports, as well as protecting sensitive data.

The professionalizing activity includes diagnostic shifts in the context of the School's training network, under the supervision of the teachers of the discipline.

The learning of autopsy diagnostics involves attending the sector room and performing autopsy diagnostic findings under the supervision of the teacher.

Since April 2024 (implementing decree of 24 April 2024) the O.U. has been recognized by the Ministry of Health as a reference center for the preservation and use of the bodies of the deceased. 

Basic learning objectives:

• acquisition of skills in the use of the tools and methods of histology laboratories;
• Acquisition of fundamental knowledge of genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, medical statistics, epidemiology, and morphometric evaluation methods.

Educational objectives of the type of School:

• acquisition of in-depth knowledge of systematic pathological anatomy, autopsy techniques and diagnostics, the theoretical and practical bases of histochemistry and immunohistochemistry, ultrastructural pathology, diagnostic cytopathology, including fine needle aspiration cytology, and molecular biology applied to diagnostics;
• the maturation of complete morphological diagnostic capacity of cellular, tissue and organ alterations, and of the pathogenetic and epicritical evaluation of them also in relation to therapeutic treatment;
• the acquisition of the fundamental elements useful for the evaluation, including epicritical, of the anatomical-clinical correlations of the main sub-specialist pathologies such as neuropathology, cardiovascular pathology, dermatopathology, haematopathology, nephrouropathology, gynaecopathology, paediatric pathology, bone and soft tissue pathology, gastroenterological pathology, endocrine pathology, respiratory pathology, oncological pathology and everything related to morphological diagnostics relating to cells, tissues and organs;
• the acquisition of experience in morphological monitoring of organ transplants. The learning of skills necessary for the organization and management of the department and laboratories of histopathological diagnostics, diagnostic cytopathology, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry, ultrastructural pathology and molecular biology applied to histocytopathology, including safety in the workplace and the disposal of biological and chemical residues.

Related or supplementary objectives are the acquisition of adequate theoretical knowledge of medical genetics, epidemiology and general hygiene, diagnostic imaging, occupational and preventive medicine, toxicology, forensic medicine, deontology and bioethics.

Integrated training objectives (i.e. common trunk): Acquisition of knowledge in the field of the disciplines that contribute to the definition of the Class of Diagnostic and Laboratory Medicine, and of those useful for the characterization of the training course common to the different types of School with particular regard to molecular pathology, pathophysiology and general pathology, immunology and immunopathology. In addition, the common trunk activity will be partly dedicated to clinical integrations with the Medical Area and the Surgical Area