There are many oncology pathology organizations around the world that offer essential resources, networking opportunities, and sometimes even free Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits. These groups are for everyone, from seasoned professionals to trainees, fellows, residents, and medical students.
There are so many different organizations, however, that it can be time-consuming and challenging to sift through all the options. So, we compiled a list of 20 pathology organizations, in alphabetical order, and sorted them by type to help you find the right fit for advancing your career, connecting with the global community, and staying at the forefront of diagnostic innovation.
Foundational & Credentialing Bodies
These organizations set the standards for practice, education, and quality.
1. American Board of Pathology (ABPath)
ABPath is the official U.S. credentialing body. It initially certifies pathologists and administers the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the gatekeeper of professional standards and competency for pathologists throughout their careers in the USA.
2. College of American Pathologists (CAP)
CAP is the leading authority on laboratory quality and standardization. It is essential for daily practice through its internationally recognized accreditation programs, proficiency testing (PT), and the indispensable Cancer Protocols and Checklists that ensure data consistency.
3. Royal College of Pathologists
The Royal College of Pathologists is a professional membership organization and charity based in London, with over 13,000 global members. It oversees training in 17 specialties and is crucial in advancing high-quality patient care, diagnostics, and disease monitoring, particularly across the UK.
Digital, Informatics, and Technology Leaders
These groups are on the leading edge of integrating technology, data, and computation into diagnostic workflow.
4. Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP)
AMP is the primary organization for pathologists practicing personalized cancer medicine. It is dedicated to establishing best practices and guidelines for the clinical use of molecular testing in oncology, including somatic and hereditary cancer testing.
5. Association for Pathology Informatics (API)
Critical for the future of the field, API promotes the academic and clinical subspecialty of informatics. It focuses on the management and derivation of clinical value from complex data (molecular, image, and LIS) necessary for digital pathology, AI integration, and advanced oncology reporting.
6. Asian Society of Digital Pathology (ASDP)
ASDP is the key organization driving the adoption, standardization, and education of digital pathology and AI across the fast-growing Asian healthcare market. It provides essential regional networking for pathologists focused on technological advances.
7. Digital Pathology Association (DPA)
The DPA directly supports pathologists by defining the future of their practice through digital adoption and AI integration. It provides education and best practices and works with regulatory bodies to ensure the clinical validity of whole slide imaging (WSI) systems.
Academic, Educational, and Research Powerhouses
These are the primary drivers of discovery, advanced training, and curriculum development.
8. Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists (ACLPS)
ACLPS is focused on advancing academic clinical pathology and laboratory medicine. It provides an essential forum for young investigators and faculty, grounding the non-anatomic side of cancer diagnostics (e.g., flow cytometry, tumor markers) in scholarship.
9. Association for Academic Pathology (AAPath)
The AAPath is the collective voice for academic pathology in the United States and Canada. It is highly influential in setting training standards, residency curriculum, and the structure of cancer research in academic medical centers.
10. European Society of Pathology (ESP)
The ESP is the major pan-European professional and scientific organization that offers a significant platform for education and networking through its large annual congress. It strongly supports subspecialty groups and influences practice guidelines collaboratively.
11. International Academy of Pathology (IAP)
IAP is a global educational society that helps pathologists connect and learn across borders. Its major international congress facilitates the dissemination of diagnostic knowledge and high-quality histopathology techniques worldwide.
12. United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP)
The largest and most preeminent academic pathology organization. The USCAP annual meeting is a key global venue for presenting novel studies and includes short courses covering all areas of anatomic and molecular pathology.
Specialty, Leadership, and Regional Groups
These organizations cater to specific subspecialties, leadership roles, or geographic regions.
13. American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
ASCP is a great resource for a pathologist’s lifelong learning and certification. It provides extensive CME, advocates for the profession on policy matters, and publishes key journals.
14. Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology (ADASP)
Composed primarily of directors and subspecialty leaders from academic institutions, ADASP provides a key platform for leadership, professional development, and networking among the pathologists who set operational standards for training and practice.
15. Canadian Association of Pathologists (CAP-ACP)
CAP-ACP is the official national professional organization that sets standards, education, and advocacy for all pathologists in Canada. It offers essential continuing professional development and fosters high-quality patient care.
16. Society for Pediatric Pathology
This is an educational and scientific organization for pediatric physicians and scientists. Its members practice in Children’s Hospitals and medical centers worldwide, offering networking, research grants, and a dedicated journal for the pediatric subspecialty.
Global Standards and Clinical Guideline Agencies
These bodies establish the official criteria and clinical mandates that shape diagnostic practice globally.
17. European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)
ESMO is the leading pan-European body that sets clinical guidelines (CPGs) that guide the pathology and molecular testing required for patient treatment decisions. Its influence on biomarker testing and precision oncology workflow is significant globally.
18. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
As the specialized cancer agency of the WHO, IARC’s direct impact is through the publication of the WHO Classification of Tumours (“WHO Blue Books”). These books establish the international standard and consensus for cancer classification that every pathologist utilizes.
19. International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting (ICCR)
ICCR works to create standardized cancer reporting datasets for surgical pathology reports. This aims for global alignment (similar to a worldwide CAP protocol), facilitating international research and consistency in patient care.
20. National Cancer Institute (NCI)
As the principal U.S. government agency for cancer research, NCI funds and coordinates trials that establish new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Pathologists are critical members of NCI-funded research teams, developing and validating next-generation diagnostic methods.
Stay Connected
The future of pathology is intrinsically linked to collaboration, standardization, and the thoughtful integration of new technology. Pathologists can ensure their practice remains relevant, cutting-edge, and high-quality by engaging with these diverse organizations, from those setting the foundational standards to those charting the course for new technologies. Staying informed about emerging guidelines and technological best practices is no longer optional; it’s essential for advancing patient care in the digital era.
To help stay informed, subscribe to our free Bi-Annual Digital Digest. Inside, you’ll gain key insights from our DDx Summit, including the surprising ROI of digital adoption, real-world lessons from pathology leaders on successful implementation, and a deep dive into how AI is truly augmenting, not replacing, the pathologist’s vital role. Don’t waste time sifting through noise; subscribe now for curated conversations and practical advice that will help you shape your lab’s digital strategy and stay at the forefront of diagnostics.
