Quality assurance for pathology in rodent carcinogenesis tests

A large scale national carcinogenesis testing program requires quality assurance procedures for each scientific discipline, including pathology. The NCl Carcinogenesis Testing Program's pathology procedures involve the necropsy examination, histology, histopathologic diagnosis, data recording, and report writing. Each phase of the program requires specific quality assurance procedures, some of which are clerical, others scientific. In the latter case, a consensus from a group of pathologists serves to resolve differences of opinion. Only with the implementation of quality assurance procedures will the confidence in these tests be assured and quality maintained. Subsequently, modifications to established protocols may be discussed and accurately evaluated.