Best Practice No 155 Guidelines for handling oesophageal biopsies and resection specimens and their reporting

The importance of the role of the histopathologist in the management of patients with oesophageal disease cannot be overemphasised. Pathological examination of specimens from these patients provides: + Essential diagnostic and prognostic information for optimal clinical management. + Material for research and audit. + A database for epidemiological studies. A close liaison between the surgeon, gastroenterologist, and histopathologist is of paramount importance, particularly in the evaluation of dysplasia or early carcinoma in Barrett’s oesophagus and, generally, to maximise diagnostic yield in any situation. The extent and usefulness of pathological information that can be conveyed to the clinicians is determined by the adequacy of clinical information, biopsy sampling, handling, laboratory processing, and any special studies that may be required. It is also influenced by the awareness of the histopathologist of the normal anatomy and histology of the oesophagus. There should be regular meetings between the surgeon, gastroenterologist, and histopathologist to discuss clinical and pathological findings.