The 17th annual EFCS cytopathology tutorial took place in Thessaloniki, Greece, from 22 to 26 June 2026. Maurizio Pinamonti chaired the event, while Maria Nasioutziki and Maria Gonidi served as the local hosts.
Following the usual format, the tutorial comprised on-site microscopy workshops and lectures covering key and emerging topics in cytopathology. The lectures covered a broad range of subjects, including respiratory tract and lung, soft tissue tumors, molecular cytopathology, breast, serous effusions, thyroid, urine, salivary glands, pancreas and biliary tract, as well as gynecological cytology (squamous and glandular lesions). In addition, dedicated sessions explored cutting-edge themes such as machine learning and AI, HPV, and new technologies. An international faculty of speakers from Greece, France, Italy, Croatia, Turkey, and Spain delivered the lectures and led interactive discussions.
The event brought together 52 participants, including cytotechnologists, residents, and pathologists, who formed a highly engaged, interactive, and receptive group. Social events were a standout highlight of the week, receiving a 96% satisfaction rate.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Notably, 100% of respondents stated they would recommend a future tutorial to a colleague. Furthermore, 88% agreed that the programme fully met their expectations, and 84% found the scanned slides particularly useful. Overall satisfaction was high across all operational aspects, with strong approval for the lecture length, workshop duration, online registration, and catering.
In summary, this was another highly successful tutorial, demonstrating strong engagement from the international cytopathology community and providing great motivation to continue organizing these events in future years.
