Activity Overview
Extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas (EP-NECs) are rare, aggressive malignancies. Pathologists face challenges due to heterogeneous morphology, complex biopsy samples, and evolving World Health Organization (WHO) classifications that complicate accurate diagnosis and risk stratification. Clinicians and pathologists often encounter persistent gaps in distinguishing neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) from NECs, incorporating RB/p53 and Ki-67 into grading and risk stratification and leveraging emerging biomarkers such as DLL3 and molecular profiling to inform prognosis, guide eligibility for biomarker-driven trials, and anticipate potential targeted therapies.
This CME-certified hybrid symposium features an expert panel of pathologists and medical oncologists using a Medical Crossfire® format to dissect real-world diagnostic dilemmas in EP-NECs, including grading pitfalls, mixed/amphicrine tumors, and differences between pulmonary and extrapulmonary disease. Through guideline- and WHO-focused discussions, case-based debate, and integration of contemporary immunohistochemistry and next-generation sequencing data, participants will learn to apply current diagnostic criteria, key biomarker panels, and emerging therapeutic markers to improve the classification and management of patients with high-grade neuroendocrine neoplasms.
This educational activity is an archive of the live virtual symposium held on March 24, 2026.
Target Audience
This educational activity is directed toward pathologists, as well as oncologists, advanced practice providers, oncology nurses, and other health care professionals involved in the multidisciplinary care of patients with EP-NECs.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this activity, you should be better prepared to:
- Apply current guideline-recommended criteria and diagnostic methods to accurately distinguish NECs from NETs
- Evaluate the emerging role of biomarkers, including DLL3, in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of EP-NECs
- Integrate molecular profiling and next-generation sequencing into pathology
David S. Klimstra, MD
Louis J.M. Zinterhofer, MD, Professor of Pathology
Yale University School of Medicine
New Haven, CT
Disclosures: Advisor, Consultant, Speaker, Honoraria Recipient: Paige AI/Tempus; Ownership Interests: Paige AI/Tempus
Danielle A. Hutchings, MD
Assistant Professor
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
Disclosures: Danielle A. Hutchings, MD, has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
Nancy M. Joseph, MD, PhD
Professor, Department of Pathology
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Disclosures: Nancy M. Joseph, MD, PhD, has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
Jonathan Strosberg, MD
Professor, Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology
Moffitt Cancer Center
Tampa, FL
Disclosures: Advisor, Consultant, Speaker, Honoraria Recipient: BI, Curium, Exelixis; Grant/Research Funding: Bristol Myers Squibb, Exelixis, ITM, Sanofi
The staff of Physicians’ Education Resource®, LLC have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
PER® mitigated all COI for faculty, staff, and planners prior to the start of this activity by using a multistep process.
Off-Label Disclosure and Disclaimer
This activity may or may not discuss investigational, unapproved, or off-label use of drugs. Learners are advised to consult prescribing information for any products discussed. The information provided in this accredited activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent clinical judgment of a health care professional relative to diagnostic, treatment, or management options for a specific patient’s medical condition. The opinions expressed in the content are solely those of the individual faculty members and do not reflect those of PER® or any company that provided commercial support for this activity.