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Fellowship

SGH Breast Pathology Fellowship

The fellowship aims to provide an integrated, comprehensive exposure to breast pathology, an increasingly complex area of practice. The Fellow works closely with a cadre of staff pathologists who run the active in-house breast pathology service, which processes more than 5000 benign and malignant breast specimens annually. Ancillary studies, including immunohistochemistry, in-situ hybridization, and molecular genetics, are extensively utilized. In addition, a rich archive of interesting cases is available for study.

The Fellow participates in two multidisciplinary conferences each week. The correlation of pathologic information with imaging features of benign and malignant lesions on mammography, ultrasonography and MRI, as well as the oncological management of diverse cases, are emphasized at these meetings.

Weekly didactic lectures and slide-based tutorials, covering the breadth of anatomical pathology subspecialties including breast pathology, are conducted for in-house residents. Each year, the Pathology Division and Anatomical Pathology Department host a number of distinguished breast pathologist visitors from international academic institutions who conduct educational sessions for staff and residents. The Fellow is highly encouraged to join these teaching sessions.

The Breast Pathology service is proud of its strong academic focus. The Fellow is encouraged to participate in a research project, which will be tailored to meet the individual Fellow’s interest.

  

1.1 Objectives of the SGH Breast Pathology Fellowship:

Development of optimal skills in the diagnosis of breast diseases, through

o Competency in the morphologic criteria and differential diagnoses of non-neoplastic and neoplastic breast 
   diseases, including proliferative and precursor lesions

o The incorporation of special techniques in the pathologic characterization of breast disease

o Frozen section rotations for handling of intraoperative sentinel lymph node assessments

o Familiarity with tumour staging parameters and prognostic indices

o Appreciation of the implications of pathologic diagnoses on clinical management

o Enhancement of collegiate skills through interaction with pathology staff, residents, and clinicians

o Development of investigational skills, including an appreciation for research methodology and utilization of 
   analytical techniques, through participation in research project(s)

  

1.2 Duration

6 months to 1 year; shorter durations can be considered

  

1.3 Structure

1.3.1 Components

i)     Active Cases

Gross trimming

Dependent on individual Fellow’s experience. Attached to a senior resident for a number of mornings / afternoons.

Reporting

Active cases are assigned daily. The assigned breast pathologist gives the Fellow a proportion of the breast cases each day which will be signed out together with the supervising breast pathologist. The Fellow is responsible for taking follow-up actions (additional stains, regressing) and drafting reports.

ii)    Frozen section

1 or 2 days. While exposure is general and the Fellow will experience frozen section requests from other organ sites, special emphasis will be placed on intraoperative handling of sentinel lymph nodes.

iii)   Special techniques

• Observe IHC processing, troubleshooting, FISH scoring for 1 day.

• Macro/microdissecting for research – attachment for ½ day(s).

iv)   Multidisciplinary Conferences

Attend all Radpath and Tumour boards.

v)    Teaching for residents

• Encouraged to join in all sessions (not compulsory).

• If motivated, to conduct a tutorial for residents on a topic of interest.

vi)   Access to all archival Breast Course cases / discussions

  To go through at own pace.

vii)  Research Time

Complete an abstract / draft paper depending on time available. This is an important / attractive component of the programme if the Fellow is attached for a substantial period of time.

   

1.4 Source of Funding

Living expenses in Singapore are comparable to other major world cities. Fellows must ensure that they have sufficient funds to cover their own needs (as well as the needs of any dependents) for the duration of the Fellowship. It is also recommended that Fellows purchase relevant (e.g. healthcare) insurance. We are unable to provide financial support, arrange travel or organise accommodation for Fellows.  However, we would be happy to give general advice regarding locations, public transportation, etc.

For more information, please click here.        

Contact us 

Email pgmi.fellowships@sgh.com.sg for more information.