Breast Pathology Consultation Service

The Breast Pathology Service supports a large volume of cases, including 2,000 breast biopsies and 1,000 mastectomy specimens annually. We are supported by outstanding immunohistochemistry and molecular pathology laboratories for providing an accurate diagnosis and for biomarker testing. Our average turnaround time for rush biopsies is two days, including ancillary receptor studies.

Our board-certified pathologists have breast subspecialty expertise and interpret challenging breast cases daily. We perform a more complete and detailed pathology report than is typically provided. This includes information about traditional pathologic factors such as tumor stage and ER, PR, and HER2 status in breast cancers. Additional sophisticated molecular tests are available if required.

The Breast Pathology Service has a varied and diverse interest in both clinical and research fields. Several opportunities exist for scholarly research projects with our clinical collaborators and within the department for translational or basic research.

At the translational level, several of our members are actively involved in the Rimm Lab, led by David Rimm, MD, PhD, which focuses on quantitative pathology using AQUA technology using breast tissue microarrays and whole sections.

Opportunities to participate in basic research are provided by the Stern Lab, led by David Stern, PhD.

The faculty in Breast Pathology are committed to subspecialty training of pathology residents and fellows. The Department of Pathology offers a highly competitive Breast one-year fellowship that is comprehensive and focused on a multidisciplinary approach in patient care. The faculty is actively engaged in breast pathology didactics, "unknown" conferences, and breast journal clubs that are attended by residents, fellows and attendings across specialties. Two multidisciplinary conferences (Breast Clinical lecture series and Breast Tumor Board) are held every week and are attended by specialists involved in patient care.

Some of the faculty are course developers at the Yale School of Medicine and are actively involved in recruitment of lecturers for medical student teaching. We welcome visiting pathologists, both national and international, to participate in educational activities for periods ranging from a month to a year.