2026 Current Challenges in Gynecologic and Obstetric Pathology (Videos + Slides)

Gynecologic Pathology • Obstetric Pathology • Placental Pathology • Endometrial Cancer • Ovarian Neoplasia • Molecular Pathology

Advance your diagnostic approach to complex gynecologic and obstetric pathology with 2026 Current Challenges in Gynecologic and Obstetric Pathology (Videos + Slides), an expert-led teaching activity from Educational Symposia focused on contemporary classification, morphology, ancillary testing, and clinically relevant diagnostic challenges.

Originally released June 1, 2026, this program is primarily designed for pathologists who encounter gynecologic and obstetric specimens in clinical practice, as well as pathologists training in gynecologic pathology.

The curriculum provides a practical review of placental pathology, molecular classification of endometrial cancer, high-grade endometrial carcinoma, gynecologic cancer biomarkers, ovarian epithelial neoplasia, frozen-section diagnosis of ovarian masses, uterine mesenchymal tumors, vulvovaginal and cervical squamous pathology, endocervical lesions, and non-epithelial lower genital tract disease.

Course Details

• Course: 2026 Current Challenges in Gynecologic and Obstetric Pathology
• Scientific Sponsor: Educational Symposia
• Year: 2026
• Original Release Date: June 1, 2026
• Format: Videos + Slides
• Specialty: Pathology
• Primary Focus: Gynecologic and Obstetric Pathology
• Original Educational Symposia Activity: Up to 12.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
• Official CME Claiming Deadline: May 31, 2029
• Faculty: Carlos E. Parra-Herran, M.D.
• Institution: Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Department of Pathology
• Language: English

Educational Symposia identifies the activity as an enduring CME teaching program and designates the official activity for a maximum of 12.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Course Overview

Gynecologic and obstetric pathology includes a broad spectrum of benign, premalignant, malignant, pregnancy-related, and placental disorders.

Accurate diagnosis increasingly requires integration of:

Histomorphology → Classification → Immunohistochemistry → Molecular Testing → Prognostic Information → Therapeutic Relevance

This course focuses on areas in which classification systems, molecular testing, morphology, and clinical management intersect.

Major areas include:

• Placental pathology
• Female genital tract neoplasia
• Endometrial carcinoma
• Ovarian epithelial neoplasia
• Gynecologic cancer biomarkers
• Molecular classification
• Immunohistochemistry
• Frozen-section diagnosis
• Uterine mesenchymal neoplasia
• Vulvar pathology
• Vaginal pathology
• Cervical squamous lesions
• Endocervical glandular lesions
• Melanocytic lesions
• Mesenchymal lesions of the lower genital tract

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this teaching activity, you should be able to:

• Recognize clinically relevant placental conditions that carry a clinical risk for complications, recurrence in future gestations, or require immediate management.
• Understand the major changes in female genital tract neoplasia classification introduced by the 2025 World Health Classification.
• Appraise the current recommendations on molecular and immunohistochemical testing of gynecologic cancers for classification, prognostic and therapeutic purposes.
• Recognize the morphologic spectrum of high-grade endometrial and ovarian carcinoma and the importance of each recognized type in light of pathogenesis, prognosis, and management.
• Identify types of uterine mesenchymal neoplasia with malignant potential, distinguishing them from benign lesions and impacting patient care.
• Develop a practical approach to the evaluation of vulvo-vaginal and cervical squamous neoplasia, endocervical glandular lesions and miscellaneous (melanocytic, mesenchymal) diseases in the lower female genital tract.

These objectives are reproduced from the official Educational Symposia course description.

Placental Pathology

Placental examination can provide clinically important information regarding pregnancy complications and potential recurrence risks in future gestations.

The program begins with:

Placental Pathology: A Sailing Guide

Important concepts include recognition of placental conditions that may:

• Explain pregnancy complications
• Influence immediate clinical management
• Carry recurrence risk
• Affect counseling for future pregnancies
• Require clear pathologic communication

Placental pathology therefore connects morphologic diagnosis with maternal and fetal clinical care.

Clinically Relevant Placental Conditions

A placental diagnosis may have implications beyond the current pregnancy.

The course emphasizes identifying findings that can carry:

Immediate Clinical Significance → Maternal/Fetal Risk → Recurrence Implications → Future Pregnancy Counseling

This makes accurate classification and reporting particularly important in obstetric pathology.

Molecular Classification of Endometrial Cancer

Modern endometrial carcinoma classification increasingly incorporates molecular information alongside traditional morphology.

The program includes:

How Molecular Classification Informs Endometrial Cancer Diagnosis and Management

The session focuses on how molecular classification can contribute to:

• Diagnostic classification
• Tumor characterization
• Prognostic assessment
• Patient stratification
• Clinical management

The official curriculum specifically emphasizes the role of molecular and immunohistochemical testing for classification, prognosis, and therapeutic purposes.

High-Grade Endometrial Carcinoma

High-grade endometrial carcinomas can present significant diagnostic challenges because different tumor types may share overlapping morphology.

The dedicated session:

High Grade Endometrial Carcinoma: Difficult but Relevant

reviews the morphologic spectrum and clinical relevance of accurately identifying high-grade disease.

Diagnostic evaluation may integrate:

Morphology + Immunohistochemistry + Molecular Findings + Clinical Context

Accurate classification matters because recognized carcinoma types can differ in pathogenesis, prognosis, and management.

Gynecologic Cancer Biomarkers

The program includes:

Mastering Your Fleet of Biomarker Tests in Gynecologic Cancer

Ancillary biomarker testing has become increasingly important in gynecologic pathology.

Testing may support:

• Tumor classification
• Differential diagnosis
• Prognostic assessment
• Molecular subclassification
• Therapeutic decision-making

The course reviews current recommendations regarding both molecular testing and immunohistochemistry in gynecologic malignancies.

Immunohistochemistry in Gynecologic Pathology

Immunohistochemistry can be particularly valuable when morphology alone does not provide sufficient distinction between competing diagnoses.

A practical approach is:

Review Morphology → Establish Differential Diagnosis → Select Focused IHC Panel → Integrate Results → Correlate With Molecular / Clinical Findings

The course emphasizes using ancillary testing in a clinically meaningful rather than isolated manner.

Ovarian Epithelial Neoplasia

The program includes:

Ovarian Epithelial Neoplasia Made Easy

Ovarian epithelial tumors encompass a range of benign, borderline, and malignant lesions.

Important diagnostic considerations can include:

• Histologic architecture
• Cytologic features
• Tumor subtype
• High-grade morphology
• Differential diagnosis
• Ancillary testing
• Clinical implications

The educational objectives specifically emphasize recognition of the morphologic spectrum of high-grade ovarian carcinoma and the significance of correct classification.

High-Grade Ovarian Carcinoma

High-grade ovarian carcinoma requires careful morphologic assessment together with appropriate ancillary testing.

Classification is clinically important because tumor type can influence understanding of:

• Pathogenesis
• Prognosis
• Clinical behavior
• Treatment considerations

The program places morphology within this broader clinical and molecular context.

Frozen Section Diagnosis of Ovarian Masses

The curriculum includes:

Warming Up to Frozen Section Diagnosis of Ovarian Masses

Intraoperative consultation may require rapid assessment of an ovarian lesion while recognizing the limitations of frozen-section material.

A practical pathway includes:

Gross Examination → Representative Sampling → Frozen Section → Morphologic Assessment → Provisional Diagnosis → Appropriate Communication

Frozen-section interpretation may influence immediate surgical decision-making, making recognition of limitations and diagnostic pitfalls particularly important.

Uterine Mesenchymal Neoplasia

Uterine mesenchymal tumors encompass benign lesions as well as neoplasms with malignant potential.

Two dedicated sessions address this field:

• Smooth Sailing to Uterine Mesenchymal Neoplasia Diagnosis
• Non-Smooth Sailing to Uterine Mesenchymal Neoplasia Diagnosis

The educational goal is to identify lesions with malignant potential and distinguish them from benign mimics.

Smooth Muscle & Other Uterine Mesenchymal Tumors

A pathologic evaluation may consider:

• Tumor architecture
• Cytologic atypia
• Mitotic activity
• Necrosis
• Growth pattern
• Morphologic variants
• Immunophenotype
• Molecular findings when appropriate

The objective is to distinguish benign disease from tumors whose diagnosis can significantly alter patient management.

Lower Female Genital Tract Pathology

Four lectures provide a structured approach to pathology of the vulva, vagina, cervix, and lower female genital tract.

The series addresses:

• Squamous lesions
• Warts
• Plaques
• Rashes
• Endocervical glandular lesions
• Non-epithelial lesions

This section provides a broad diagnostic framework for both neoplastic and non-neoplastic disease.

Vulvovaginal & Cervical Squamous Lesions

The session:

Your Compass to Lower Genital Tract Pathology Navigation: Squamous Lesions

focuses on practical evaluation of squamous pathology involving the cervix, vulva, and vagina.

Important considerations may include:

• Morphologic pattern
• Degree of atypia
• HPV-related disease
• Differential diagnosis
• Benign mimics
• Premalignant lesions
• Invasive disease

The goal is a reproducible approach to diagnostically challenging squamous lesions.

Warts, Plaques & Rashes

Not all lower genital tract pathology presents as an obvious neoplasm.

The dedicated lecture:

Your Compass to Lower Genital Tract Pathology Navigation: Warts, Plaques and Rashes

addresses a broader spectrum of vulvovaginal lesions.

These cases may require distinguishing:

Inflammatory / Reactive Disease → Infectious Lesions → Benign Neoplasia → Premalignant Disease → Malignancy

Endocervical Lesions

The program includes:

Your Compass to Lower Genital Tract Pathology Navigation: Endocervical Lesions

Endocervical pathology can involve both benign glandular proliferations and malignant lesions.

A systematic approach may require assessment of:

• Architecture
• Cytology
• Growth pattern
• Location
• Background changes
• Immunohistochemical profile
• Relevant molecular or HPV-associated findings

Correct classification can have direct implications for clinical management.

Non-Epithelial Lesions

The final lower-genital-tract session is:

Your Compass to Lower Genital Tract Pathology Navigation: Non-epithelial Lesions

The official educational objectives specifically identify melanocytic and mesenchymal diseases among the miscellaneous lesions addressed.

This expands the curriculum beyond epithelial neoplasia into less common but diagnostically important lower-genital-tract pathology.

2025 Classification Updates

One of the major objectives of the activity is understanding changes in female genital tract neoplasia classification introduced by the 2025 World Health Classification.

Classification updates can influence:

• Terminology
• Diagnostic criteria
• Tumor categories
• Pathology reporting
• Molecular testing
• Prognostic interpretation

For practicing pathologists, keeping classification terminology current is important for both diagnostic accuracy and multidisciplinary communication.

Molecular Pathology

Molecular pathology is integrated throughout contemporary gynecologic cancer diagnosis.

Potential roles include:

• Tumor classification
• Prognostic stratification
• Biomarker identification
• Therapeutic selection
• Resolution of difficult differential diagnoses

The course emphasizes interpreting molecular results together with morphology and immunohistochemistry.

Gynecologic Oncology Pathology

The course provides pathology-focused updates relevant to multiple gynecologic cancer sites:

• Endometrium
• Ovary
• Cervix
• Vulva
• Vagina
• Uterine mesenchymal tissues

The emphasis remains on diagnostic pathology, while highlighting those pathologic findings that affect prognosis and clinical management.

Faculty

Carlos E. Parra-Herran, M.D.

Educational Symposia lists Carlos E. Parra-Herran, M.D. as faculty for all 12 lectures.

Institution:

• Brigham and Women’s Hospital
• Department of Pathology
• Boston, Massachusetts

The official course page identifies him as an Associate Professor of Pathology.

Target Audience

This activity is primarily aimed at:

• Practicing Pathologists
• Gynecologic Pathologists
• Surgical Pathologists
• Pathologists who encounter gynecologic and obstetric specimens
• Pathology Residents
• Pathology Fellows
• Pathologists training in gynecologic pathology

Educational Symposia specifically states that the activity is intended for pathologists who encounter gynecologic and obstetric cases in their practice and those training in gynecologic pathology.

Who Should Take This Course?

2026 Current Challenges in Gynecologic and Obstetric Pathology is particularly relevant for professionals seeking focused updates in:

• Gynecologic pathology
• Obstetric pathology
• Placental pathology
• Surgical pathology
• Female genital tract pathology
• Endometrial carcinoma
• Ovarian tumors
• Molecular gynecologic pathology
• Immunohistochemistry
• Uterine mesenchymal tumors
• Cervical pathology
• Vulvar and vaginal pathology
• Gynecologic cancer biomarkers

Why This Course Is Useful

The strength of this course is its concentrated approach to diagnostically challenging areas of gynecologic and obstetric pathology.

The curriculum progresses through:

Placenta → Endometrium → Molecular Classification → Biomarkers → Ovary → Frozen Section → Uterine Mesenchymal Tumors → Lower Genital Tract

This structure combines morphology with modern classification and ancillary testing while maintaining a strong focus on clinical relevance.

Original Educational Symposia Accreditation

Educational Symposia is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

For the official activity:

• Original Release Date: June 1, 2026
• Maximum: 12.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
• Official CME Claiming Deadline: May 31, 2029

Participants using the official Educational Symposia activity must complete the required CME application and evaluation to receive credit.

Important CME / Certificate Notice

If the MedicalAmboss product consists of independently delivered Videos + Slides, the CME credit or Educational Symposia certificate should not be advertised as included unless official Educational Symposia CME access is actually part of the purchase.

The safer wording for MedicalAmboss is:

Original Educational Symposia Activity: Up to 12.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

Short Description

2026 Current Challenges in Gynecologic and Obstetric Pathology (Videos + Slides) is an Educational Symposia teaching program focused on contemporary diagnostic challenges involving the placenta, endometrium, ovary, uterus, cervix, vulva, vagina, and lower female genital tract.

The course reviews placental pathology, 2025 classification changes, molecular classification of endometrial carcinoma, immunohistochemistry and biomarker testing, high-grade endometrial and ovarian carcinoma, frozen-section diagnosis, uterine mesenchymal tumors, cervical and vulvovaginal squamous pathology, endocervical lesions, and non-epithelial tumors.

Scientific Sponsor: Educational Symposia
Original Release: June 1, 2026
Format: Videos + Slides
Faculty: Carlos E. Parra-Herran, M.D.
Original Activity: Up to 12.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
Primary Focus: Gynecologic & Obstetric Pathology

Topics

1. Placental Pathology: A Sailing Guide — Carlos E. Parra-Herran, M.D.
2. How Molecular Classification Informs Endometrial Cancer Diagnosis and Management — Carlos E. Parra-Herran, M.D.
3. High Grade Endometrial Carcinoma: Difficult but Relevant — Carlos E. Parra-Herran, M.D.
4. Mastering Your Fleet of Biomarker Tests in Gynecologic Cancer — Carlos E. Parra-Herran, M.D.
5. Ovarian Epithelial Neoplasia Made Easy — Carlos E. Parra-Herran, M.D.
6. Warming Up to Frozen Section Diagnosis of Ovarian Masses — Carlos E. Parra-Herran, M.D.
7. Smooth Sailing to Uterine Mesenchymal Neoplasia Diagnosis — Carlos E. Parra-Herran, M.D.
8. Non-Smooth Sailing to Uterine Mesenchymal Neoplasia Diagnosis — Carlos E. Parra-Herran, M.D.
9. Your Compass to Lower Genital Tract Pathology Navigation: Squamous Lesions — Carlos E. Parra-Herran, M.D.
10. Your Compass to Lower Genital Tract Pathology Navigation: Warts, Plaques and Rashes — Carlos E. Parra-Herran, M.D.
11. Your Compass to Lower Genital Tract Pathology Navigation: Endocervical Lesions — Carlos E. Parra-Herran, M.D.
12. Your Compass to Lower Genital Tract Pathology Navigation: Non-epithelial Lesions — Carlos E. Parra-Herran, M.D.