For over 20 years, the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) has been committed to more than just sharing knowledge—this organisation wants to spark innovation, thrive on collaboration, and shape the future of healthcare. With this vision came about the annual Pathology Update.
Running since 2002, this flagship event has been the largest single forum for pathologists, scientists and laboratory professionals in Australasia across all the major specialties and disciplines of pathology. The conference also encompasses the field from all angles, with world-renowned keynote speakers, hands-on workshops and innovative displays helping us to peer into the future of diagnostic and healthcare evolution.
Key Features of the Show (What to Expect)
Scientific Programs
Day 1
Case Presentations – Anatomical
- Discipline Streams: Anatomical Pathology
- Dr. Laveniya Satgunaseelan (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital)
Session Scientific Programs
- Anatomical Pathology and Climate Change: Where Do We Start? (Dr. Zi Long Chow)
- Florid Xanthogranulomatous Reaction to Breast Implants: An Unusual Presentation of Erdheim-Chester Disease (Dr. Rose-Lynn McCarthy)
- 3 for the Price of 1: Concurrent Richter Transformation: A Case of CLL/SLL With Dual Lymphoma Subtypes (Dr. Jack Naughton)
- A STAT Pancreatic Mass Aspirate (Dr. Lavisha S Punjabi)
- Malignant Neuroectodermal Tumour Arising from an Ovarian Mature Cystic Teratoma (Dr. Alex Wang)
- Advancing Hands-On Learning in Anatomical Pathology: A Review of 3D Educational Resources for Dissection Training (Ms. Kajaal Prasad)
Scientific Session – Anatomical
- Discipline Streams: Anatomical Pathology
- Dr Laveniya Satgunaseelan (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital)
Session Scientific Programs
- An Approach to Medical Renal Pathology (Dr. Boomi Kwon)
- Molecular Testing for Lung Cancer (Prof. Wendy Cooper)
- Liver Pathology (Dr. Richard Standish)
Day 2
Scientific Session – Anatomical
- Discipline Streams: Anatomical Pathology
- A/Prof Margaret Cummings (Pathology Queensland – Brisbane)
Session Scientific Programs
- Problematic Patterns of In-Situ Breast Carcinoma (Dr. Melinda Lerwill)
- Practical Approach to Fibroepithelial Lesions (Dr. Melinda Lerwill)
- Molecular Testing in Soft Tissue Tumours: The When, Why, and How (Dr. Elizabeth Demicco)
- Myogenic Neoplasia, an Ever-Broadening Spectrum (Dr. Elizabeth Demicco)
- Challenging Small Gland Proliferations of the Breast (Dr. Melinda Lerwill)
- Diagnostic Challenges in Routine Endometrial Biopsy Reporting (Dr. Adeline Tan)
- Molecular Pathology of Ovarian Cancer in the INOVATe Program: Individualised Ovarian Cancer Treatment Through Integration of Genomic Pathology into Multidisciplinary Care) (Prof. Rosemary Balleine)
Day 3
Scientific Session – Anatomical
- Discipline Streams: Anatomical Pathology
- Dr. Victoria Yachmenikova (NSW Health Pathology John Hunter Hospital)
Session Scientific Programs
- Beyond Ultra-Rare. Keeping Up with the Profusion of New, Renamed, and Controversial Soft Tissue Tumours 1 (Dr. Elizabeth Demicco)
- Beyond Ultra-Rare. Keeping Up with the Profusion of New, Renamed, and Controversial Soft Tissue Tumours 2 (Dr. Elizabeth Demicco)
- Papillary Neoplasms of the Breast (Dr. Melinda Lerwill)
- Re-Thinking Some Anatomical Pathology Classifications with an Emphasis on Solar Keratoses and Basal Cell Carcinomas (Dr. Alexander Nirenberg)
- Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP): Experiences from a CUP Clinic, and an Approach for an Anatomical Pathologist (Dr. Catherine Mitchell)
Grants
Student and Junior Doctor Grants
RCPA provides 50 free full registrations to Pathology Update 2025 to any students undertaking studies in dental, medical, or science courses and junior doctors practising in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. The grant provides the full three days of conference registration, including catering but excluding travel or accommodation.
Successful applicants will be required to submit a post-conference report. Limited travel and accommodation grants are available to Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or Māori students, and junior doctors from out of Victoria.
Pathology Education Outreach Grants
The organisation also has four Pathology Education Outreach Grants for pathologists or in-training staff from the developing community to take part in Pathology Update 2025. The award includes return economy airfare, accommodation for up to four nights with breakfast, full registration for the conference (excluding workshops), and attendance at social functions.
Eligible applicants should be practising pathologists in one of the specified developing countries, including Fiji, Nepal, or Vietnam. Grants are administered by the Pathology Update Overseeing Committee, which makes the selections and contacts applicants to let them know the result.
Who Should Exhibit?
Industries
Brands from the following industries are encouraged to exhibit at Pathology Update:
- Diagnostic Technology Companies
- Makers of Lab Equipment and Diagnostic Tool
- Biotech and Pharma
- Developers of Precision Medicine and Genetic Testing
- Lab Management Software Providers
- Solutions for Data and Workflow Optimisation.
- Genomics and Molecular Pathology Experts
- Leaders in Genomic Sequencing and Molecular Testing.
- Medical Research Institutions
- Universities and Centres Focused on Pathology Research.
- Clinical Laboratories
- Providers of Specialised Diagnostic Services.
Brands Exhibiting at the 2025 Conference
- Agilent
- Decode Science
- Diasorin
- Fujifil
- Hologic
- Illumina
- Labflor
- RCPA
Who Attends?
- Pathologists (Clinical, Anatomical, Molecular, and Forensic)
- Laboratory Scientists and Technicians
- Medical Researchers
- Healthcare Providers
- Biotech and Pharmaceutical Professionals
- Educators and Trainers
- Students and Early-Career Pathologists
Why Should You Exhibit?
- Expose Your Brand to the Right Audience: This platform offers the unparalleled exposure your brand deserves. With its actively interested audience of pathologists, researchers, and healthcare professionals, exhibiting at Pathology Update will help grow interest in your business in the fast-paced industry.
- Network with the Experts: Growth is always a matter of broadening your horizons, and the best way to build substantial business relationships is to connect with decision-makers and thought leaders. This is all possible through Pathology Update.
- Showcase Your Industry Leadership: By being a part of this event, you will be able to demonstrate your commitment to advancing pathology, whether you are to launch new products or expand market reach.
Key Statistics from the Last and Upcoming Show
2024 Numbers
Attendees: Over a thousand leading professionals and speakers across Australasia and beyond, representing the following pathology disciplines:
- Anatomical
- Chemical
- Forensic
- Genetic
- Haematology
- Immunopathology
- Microbiology