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Dear colleagues and friends,

As we approach the 22nd International Congress of Cytology (#IACcongress) in
Florence, it is mygreat pleasure to extend a warm welcome to all cytopathologists,
cytologists, cytotechnologists, pathologists, researchers and allied health professionals
from around the globe. From May 11th to 15th, 2025, we will converge to celebrate the
latest advancements, share cutting-edge research, and foster collaborations that will
shape the future of cytology.

Our program is rich and diverse. Leading experts from all continents will share their
knowledge and experience, ensuring the representation of perspectives from every
corner of the cytopathology and cytology landscape. This diversity is a cornerstone of
the IAC’s mission, and it ensures that we learn from and inspire one another, no matter
where and how long we practice.

Scientific Highlights

The Congress will cover an impressive range of topics, ensuring there is something for
everyone, whether you’re just starting your journey in cytology or looking to explore
cutting-edge advancements. Key themes include:

• Updates in the WHO Reporting Systems for Cytopathology
• The Evolution of Cytology: A Historical Journey through the International

Academy of Cytology
• Insights into the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in cytology
• Groundbreaking discussions on Liquid Biopsy and molecular techniques.
• Core topics in diagnostic cytology, from head and neck lesions to gynaecological cytology.

Interactive and Engaging Activities

Whether you’re a seasoned expert or a budding enthusiast, there will be ample
opportunities to expand your knowledge, exchange ideas, and network with peers.

The #IACcongress features an exciting lineup of keynotes, workshops and seminars, such as:

• Whole-slide imaging with AI-powered Analysis
• Workshops on Thyroid Cytopathology, focusing on the Bethesda classification system and real-world diagnostic challenges.
• Digital Cytology for Non-Gynaecological Specimens
• Cytology Preanalytics and Digital Pathology
• Liquid-based Cytology
• Interventional Cytopathology
• HPV and Cervical Cancer Screening Programs

These sessions will allow participants to engage directly with cases, tools, and experts,
bridging theory and practice in a collaborative setting.

Support for Young Cytologists

Recognizing the importance of nurturing future leaders, the IAC Foundation offered
grants to support participation, making it easier for young professionals to access this
invaluable experience.

Why Florence?

The beautiful city of Florence offers a perfect setting for reflection and inspiration,
blending historic charm and modern vitality. It is a fitting venue for a Congress that
bridges our field’s illustrious history with its promising future.

Whether you are passionate about advancing your diagnostic skills, exploring new
technologies, or connecting with the international cytopathology and cytology family,
#IACcongress 2025 is the place to be. I encourage you to take advantage of this unique
opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to the vibrant global cytopathology
community.

Join us in Florence as we embark on a transformative journey in our field. Together, let us
chart new frontiers, ignite innovation, and pave the way for a brighter future in
cytopathology and cytology.

Warm regards,

Fernando Schmitt, MD, PhD, FIAC

President, International Academy of Cytology
President, 22nd International Congress of Cytology

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Dear Reader,

After living through a very fruitful and active period with the Residents and Young Pathologists Committee of the EFCS, with the tightly packed European Congresses in Budapest and Leipzig we disappeared for a couple of months to recuperate and accept change. Now I am excited to announce the rejuvenated Young EFCS with the combination of old friends in the chair and fresh new enthusiastic members!

I wish to grab the opportunity and say a warm goodbye and wish all the best to Pawel as our chair. We cannot be thankful enough for his efforts in bringing together the core of our group with Christina, Damjana, Despina, Cioly and myself. Under his guidance, we pulled off a Scientific Session at the ICC in Baltimore, that ignited the start of our mentorship project manifesting in a mind-opening roundtable session and a slide seminar in the Budapest congress, peaking with two young EFCS sessions in Leipzig. Under Pawel’s editorial of the EFCS Newsletter, we were committed to keep you up-to-date on the ripest events in cytology, we introduced the slovenian, british and hungarian national societies, and shared inspiring interviews of esteemed colleagues, case challenges and trivias on cytology.

As Pawel leaves, we will keep on nurturing our duties to inform you but in a new form. Instead of a quarterly newsletter our broadcasting will transform into the EFCS Newsreel, where you will be able to find all important and educative content in a continuous, more frequent but in a loosely packed manner.

I am privileged that Pawel and the EFCS Council Board thought of me to be the new chair, I will do my best. It is important to emphasize that we have grown but we have space to grow further!

If you are resident or early in your career, we wait for you in our community. We would be more than happy to share your cases, introduce your society, and your ideas on the Newsreel. You might find someone like minded among us to team up for a common scientific project in your field of interest in cytology or be eligible to join in on an EFCS scientific project. Or you might have a thought to add to the design of our follow-up mentorship survey, especially aimed to explore residents’ needs. Maybe you are strong on expressing yourself on social media, you could join our X (and soon LinkedIn) team led by Cioly to spread our word. Or you just wish to get to know new friends in cytology, this is the place and you are more than welcome!

Look for our content on X (@efcsyoung) too and if you wish to join our group, feel free to contact Christina (christina.kabjorngustafsson@gmail.com) or me (ikovacs85@gmail.com) directly!

Stay tuned for the upcoming report on the EFCS Tutorial in Wroclaw back this September, and the invitation from IAC president Fernando Schmitt to the 22nd International Cytology Congress in Florence, with a “Case of the Month”.

Until then, I wish you a very happy holiday season!

István Kovács

EFCS Residents and Young Pathologists Committee

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The 15th Annual EFCS Cytopathology Tutorial was held in Wroclaw (Poland) on 23-27 September. The event was chaired by Giovanni Negri and co-chaired by Arrigo Capitanio, and the local host was Pawel Gajdzis. The tutorial followed the classic format based on on-site microscopy workshops and lectures covering the most important topics in cytopathology. Virtual slides were made available to participants in advance and were discussed live at the end of each microscopy workshop using the eurocytology.cloud platform. Nine tutors from Poland, Croatia, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Finland and Germany were involved in the lectures, which covered eleven different topics: urine, breast, thyroid, respiratory tract, pancreas, serous effusion, salivary gland, lymphnodes and gynecological cytology. Lectures on ROSE, molecular and digital cytology and HPV were also included. Social activities included a welcome party and a get-together dinner in the beautiful city of Wroclaw.

The participants (cytotechnologists, residents and pathologists) came from 14 different countries (Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Croatia, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine), and were a highly interested, interactive and receptive international group. The lectures were recorded, and participants will receive a link to view the presentations again.

Feedback from participants was very positive, with most rating the quality of the event as excellent and extremely useful. Overall, 100% of participants would recommend a future tutorial to a colleague and found the virtual slides helpful. Most participants rated the quality of lectures and workshops as excellent.

In summary, it was again a very successful tutorial and a motivation to continue organizing these events in future years.

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