The degree of compliance with the guidelines provided by the Royal College of Pathologists (UK) inreporting adult renal parenchyma neoplasms in a tertiary care centre in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: Renal cell carcinomas comprise approximately 3% of all adult malignancies. The Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) dataset for histopathological reporting of adult renal neoplasms recommends including a set of minimum clinical details, appropriate sampling, and macroscopic and microscopic core-data items in renal tumour reports. The aim of this audit was to assess compliance with recommended sampling and core data items as per the RCPath datasets in a tertiary care centre and to assess whether the quality of reporting was improved with the introduction of a reporting proforma. Methodology: The data from 25 nephrectomy specimens, including eight partial and 17 radical nephrectomies, were included in the initial audit. The level of compliance with 45 core-data items was recorded as percentages. A re-audit was performed on 23 random nephrectomy specimens (seven partial and 16 radical) reported in 2021 after introducing a reporting proforma which was used as a checklist for handling and reporting nephrectomy specimens. The same data collection sheet was used in both audits. Results: A significant improvement in both gross examination and histopathological reporting of nephrectomy specimens, including 100% compliance with two-thirds of data items, was noted after the introduction of the reporting proforma. A few data items, such as clinical details regarding the presence of the adrenal gland, need further improvement. Discussion and conclusion: Using a reporting proforma on gross examination and reporting of nephrectomy specimens and performing periodic audits are recommended to deliver a good quality histopathology report, which is crucial for clinical management and decision-making.