An expert group mandated by the European Society of Pathology (ESP) outlines its recommendations on the digital transformation of pathology departments, aiming to facilitate the acquisition of resources for better patient care. This statement is directed at pathology professionals, offering guidance for the safe implementation of digital pathology while emphasizing the necessity of standardization, quality control, and sustainability. Digital pathology involves automating and standardizing laboratory workflows to produce high-quality whole slide images (WSIs), which are crucial for diagnosis, research, and education. A successful digital transformation requires a multidisciplinary approach, significant investment in human, structural, and informatic resources, and progressive adaptation of laboratory workflows. Key components include robust infrastructure; continuous training; and clear policies for hardware renewal, data storage, and interoperability. The transition demands attention to quality and production control, ensuring efficient WSI generation and timely diagnostic reporting. ESP strongly recommends that pathology departments, supported by funding organizations, start to prioritize digital transformation as a step toward improved patient care and in alignment with global healthcare initiatives. Collaboration, investment, and adherence to quality standards are critical to benefiting the most the full potential of digital pathology.

• Klíčová slova
• Digital pathology, Digital transformation, Recommendations,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

• Publikační typ
• dopisy MeSH

Biomarker testing is crucial for treatment selection in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the quantity of available tissue often presents a key constraint for patients with advanced disease, where minimally invasive tissue biopsy typically returns small samples. In Part 1 of this two-part series, we summarise evidence-based recommendations relating to small sample processing for patients with NSCLC. Generally, tissue biopsy techniques that deliver the greatest quantity and quality of tissue with the least risk to the patient should be selected. Rapid on-site evaluation can help to ensure sufficient sample quality and quantity. Sample processing should be managed according to biomarker testing requirements, because tissue fixation methodology influences downstream nucleic acid, protein and morphological analyses. Accordingly, 10% neutral buffered formalin is recommended as an appropriate fixative, and the duration of fixation is recommended not to exceed 24-48 h. Tissue sparing techniques, including the 'one biopsy per block' approach and small sample cutting protocols, can help preserve tissue. Cytological material (formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded [FFPE] cytology blocks and non-FFPE samples such as smears and touch preparations) can be an excellent source of nucleic acid, providing either primary or supplementary patient material to complete morphological and molecular diagnoses. Considerations on biomarker testing, reporting and quality assessment are discussed in Part 2.

• Klíčová slova
• Best practice, Biopsy, Cytological techniques, Histology, Molecular diagnostics, Non-small cell lung carcinoma,
• MeSH
• biologické markery MeSH
• fixace tkání metody   MeSH
• fixativa MeSH
• formaldehyd MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádory plic * diagnóza   patologie   MeSH
• nemalobuněčný karcinom plic * diagnóza   patologie   MeSH
• nukleové kyseliny * MeSH
• zalévání tkání do parafínu MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• biologické markery MeSH
• fixativa MeSH
• formaldehyd MeSH
• nukleové kyseliny * MeSH