Selective Breast Pathology Fellowship

The Breast Pathology Fellowship is a one-year program that provides a thorough exposure to diagnostic surgical pathology of the breast as well as insight into the multidisciplinary management of breast disease. The fellowship is accredited by the ACGME.

The main objective of the program is to provide the fellow with proficient diagnostic skills, in-depth understanding of the implications of pathologic diagnoses in the management of breast cancer patients, and a unique translational research experience. The program also allows the fellow to understand the histopathologic entities that constitute benign and malignant breast disease and be able to identify morphologic features of non-proliferative, and atypical benign breast lesions and their associated risk for the future development of invasive breast cancer.

The breast fellow will spend time in the frozen section laboratory for intraoperative evaluation of breast surgical specimens, grossing of cases and touch imprints of breast and lymph nodes. The fellow will look at slides of all these cases, generate reports and sign the cases with a breast pathology faculty and will also become an expert in reporting breast cases.

There is extensive emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach to specimen evaluations, and the fellow interacts closely with breast surgeons and radiologists in the evaluation of specimens. During mandatory rotations, the breast fellow learns the protocols employed for immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization studies and all aspects of breast cytology.

It is expected that the breast pathology fellow will develop sufficient expertise to classify premalignant lesions, invasive carcinoma and the clinical implications of these diagnosis. The use of immunohistochemical markers such as estrogen and progesterone receptor and HER2/neu (including the use of fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis) and their impact on breast cancer treatment options are addressed.

The breast fellow is also exposed to newer techniques that promise to impact pathologic diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, including cDNA microarrays, laser capture microdissection and breast cancer tissue arrays. The fellow also concentrates on signing out breast pathology consultation cases and outside consultation cases from a very active breast clinic and regional/national consultation service respectively, with a staff pathologist.

The fellow discusses the cases at the Multidisciplinary Breast Care Clinic Conference, which provides a unique learning experience. The research aspect of the fellowship is tailored to meet the individual fellow’s interest. He/she has the opportunity to conduct clinical projects, and/or translational research projects or spend time in a basis research laboratory focusing on breast cancer-related basic science research.

Requirements

Candidates must be board-certified or eligible for certification in AP or AP/CP.

Please check complete GME Eligibility Requirements prior to applying.

How to Apply

Now accepting applications for unexpected openings. Email pathology-fellowship@mdanderson.org to inquire. Must be able to start on July 1st.
Academic year 2025-26
Academic year 2026-27

Applications open for academic year 2027-28
Deadline: May 30, 2025

• CAP standardized application
• Statement of intent
• Current curriculum vitae (with home address, mobile phone, e-mail and visa status). All undergrad and postgraduate training must include start and end dates (mm/dd/yyyy) and PGY level, where applicable
• Three letters of recommendation (1 from current program director, 2 from current attendings)
• Letter of good standing from current program director
  
• ECFMG certificate (if applicable)
• USMLE (passed within 3 attempts)

All application documents should be sent as attachments in one email to pathology-fellowship@mdanderson.org by the deadline (all letters should be emailed directly from the letter writer).

Stipends

Commensurate with the candidate’s level of training.