• Conference Brochure
• Conference Agenda 
• Conference Speakers/Committee

Agendas are subject to change because we are always striving to improve the quality of your educational experience. MD Anderson may substitute faculty with comparable expertise on rare occasions necessitated by illness, schedule conflicts and so forth. 

Please let us know what specific topics, issues or questions you wish to see addressed or emphasized in this activity. Fax CME/Conference Management at 713-794-1724 or email register@mdanderson.org. All responses will be forwarded to the Program Chair for consideration.

Focus

This live activity will update general surgical pathologists on the application of current classification systems of solid neoplasms and precursor lesions.  These include molecular classification of bladder tumors, evaluation of circulating tumor cell in lung cancer, classification of neurofibromatosis, classification of gastrointestinal tumors especially pancreatic endocrine neoplasms and mucinous cystic lesions, gynecologic tumors as well as thyroid neoplasms.  There are many new molecular and genetic approaches that can be used to classify solid neoplasms.

This activity will also inform the target audience of the significant problematic diagnostic issues and provide them with the information needed to avoid making diagnostic errors when confronted with these scenarios.  Research on recently implemented diagnostic and prognostic molecular tests will be presented as well, so attendees can use this information to improve the accuracy of their clinical and histopathologic diagnoses and classification.

The activity content is expected to increase the attendees' knowledge of the appropriate clinical use of diagnostic molecular testing, alter the attendees practice patterns to enable them to make more accurate diagnoses, and inform them of specific areas of diagnostic difficulty that will permit them to avoid diagnostic errors.

Educational Objectives

After attending the conference, participants should be able to:

• Apply updated diagnostic criteria and new molecular tests for proper classification and treatment of neoplastic lesions (knowledge, competence, performance, patient outcomes)
• Incorporate emerging and newly established biomarkers in classification of neoplasms and high risk lesions (knowledge, competence, performance, patient outcomes)
• Practice appropriate use of molecular testing and tumor diagnosis (knowledge, competence, performance)

Evaluation

A course evaluation form will provide participants with the opportunity to comment on the value of the program content to their practice decisions, performance improvement activities, or possible impact on patient health status. Participants will also have the opportunity to comment on any perceived commercial bias in the presentations as well as to identify future educational topics.

Accreditation/Credit Designation

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CME Certificates and Attendance Verification Certificates

Certificates awarding AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM or certificates documenting attendance will be emailed when an individual completes
the online CME Verification process after the conference.

Disclosure

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has implemented a process whereby everyone who is in a position to control the content of an educational activity must disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest that could potentially affect the information presented. MD Anderson also requires that all faculty disclose any unlabeled use or investigational use (not yet approved for any purpose) of pharmaceutical and medical device products. Specific disclosure will be made to the participants prior to the educational activity.

General Registration Information

• Pre-registration is now closed, On-site registration opens at 7:15 am on Saturday, February 15, 2020 in the foyer on Floor 1 of MD Anderson’s South Campus Research Building. 
• The opening session of the conference will begin at 8:00 am and adjourn that afternoon at 4:40 pm.
• Advanced registration is encouraged as space and materials are limited.

Registration Fees:

Postmarked on or before Jan. 15, 2020

• Physicians: $250
• MD Anderson Physicians: $50
• Trainees/Students: $50

Postmarked after Jan. 15, 2020

• Physicians: $300
• MD Anderson Physicians: $75
• Trainees/Students: $50

The registration fee, minus a $50 administrative handling fee, is refundable if a written request is received on or before Jan. 15, 2020. No refunds will be granted after that date. The request for a registration refund must include the tax identification number of the company or institution if registration was paid by a company or institution check. For additional information, contact CME/Conference Management at 713-792-2223 or toll free at 866-849-5866 or email register@mdanderson.org.

The Department of CME/Conference Management reserves the right to cancel activities prior to the scheduled date, if low enrollment or other circumstances make it necessary. Each registrant will be notified by mail, email or the contact numbers as given on the registration form.

In case of activity cancellation, liability of the Department of CME/Conference Management is limited to the registration fee. CME/Conference Management will refund the full registration fee.

The Department of CME/Conference Management reserves the right to limit the number of participants in a program and is not responsible for any expenses incurred by an individual whose registration is not confirmed and for whom space is not available. 

Accommodations

• A block of rooms has been reserved for conference attendees at the Houston Marriott Medical Center Hotel, 6580 Fannin, Houston, Texas 77030
  
• Early hotel reservations are suggested.
• The Marriott reservations phone number is 713-796-0080 or 1-800-228-9290. When you make reservations be sure to mention the Diagnostic Pathology Conference.
• Request the Diagnostic Pathology Conference MD Anderson Room Block to receive the special meeting rate of $109.00 single or double occupancy. Please add 17% Texas State and local taxes.
• Reservations and deposits received after Friday, January 17, 2020, will be confirmed if space is available and at current hotel published guest room rates.

Ground Transportation to the Texas Medical Center

Houston is served by two airports, George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and William P. Hobby (HOU). The following forms of ground transportation are available to and from the airports to the Medical Center.

Taxis: estimated fare; $55 - $65 USD (one way) Hobby/Medical Center

Taxis: estimated fare: $65 - 80 USD (one way) Houston IAH/Medical Center

Yellow Cab Company (713) 236-1111

United Cab Company (713) 699-0000

Lyft - (Bush IAH)
Lyft - (Hobby Airport)

Uber - (Bush IAH)
Uber - (Hobby Airport)

Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas

Free surface lot parking is located directly behind the South Campus Research Building.

Click here for a map.

• Driving directions to MD Anderson
  *Please note, the conference will be held a few miles away at South Campus Research Building.

• Houston Visitor Information

Photographing, audio taping and videotaping are prohibited.

Contact the Department of CME/Conference Management if you have any special dietary or ADA accommodation needs.

• Local phone: 713-792-2223
• Toll-free: 866-849-5866
• Email: register@mdanderson.org