Pathology News Roundup: September 2026

CAP26 Brings the Pathology Community to Las Vegas. The College of American Pathologists’ annual meeting, CAP26, takes place October 3–6 at the Wynn Las Vegas, bringing together pathologists and laboratory professionals for education, networking, scientific exchange, and a look at what’s next for the field.

This year’s program includes sessions focused on practical education, precision care, digital transformation, and the growing role of AI in pathology, including a keynote from Daniel Kraft, MD, on the AI- and digitally-enabled future of health, medicine, and pathology.

Voicebrook will be exhibiting at Booth 120, where attendees can see live demonstrations of Voicebrook solutions, including the newly introduced Voicebrook Cogit^™ co-intelligence assistant for pathologist case review, along with VoiceOver PRO^®, SynoptIQ^®, and digital pathology integrations.

---

The CAP Updates Cancer Protocols for Breast Cancer Biomarkers and GIST Molecular Testing. The College of American Pathologists (CAP) has announced updates to 14 Cancer Protocols, including significant revisions to breast cancer biomarker reporting and molecular testing for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). The September release includes updated scoring and reporting criteria for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), and HER2 biomarkers. The revised Breast Phyllodes Tumor protocol also introduces a new accreditation requirement for reporting malignant phyllodes tumors, along with updated staging and margin reporting elements.

The updates also expand molecular testing and reporting options for GISTs, including NTRK fusion gene analysis and enhancements to KIT and PDGFRA biomarker reporting. The revised protocols support GIST reporting across all anatomic sites. Part of CAP’s quarterly update cycle, these changes reflect evolving WHO classifications and advances in precision oncology, helping pathologists deliver consistent, standardized cancer reports that support treatment decisions and patient care.

---

What We’re Reading: Is AI Adoption Outpacing Infrastructure? As AI-powered diagnostics gain momentum, are pathology laboratories equipped to support them? In a recent article from The Pathologist, four experts in clinical pathology, digital pathology, and AI development discuss the infrastructure challenges that could slow widespread adoption. They highlight the importance of data quality, scalable systems, and workflow integration, particularly as emerging AI-based companion diagnostics create new demands for digital pathology.

The discussion also explores what it takes to move AI from pilot projects into routine clinical practice. Beyond algorithm performance, laboratories must consider reimbursement, ongoing quality monitoring, IT infrastructure, and collaboration among pathologists, vendors, and hospital leadership. The experts emphasize that successful AI adoption requires more than advanced technology—it depends on building sustainable systems that deliver measurable clinical value without disrupting existing workflows. Read the article online.