Messages from Kennichi Kakudo, MD, PhD to a person to be an expert of the cytopathology

Xiaojuan, together with Sherry and Daniel, visited Wakayama after 21 years. Their good memories vividly returned. Dr. Chie Watanuki, Junko, and I welcomed them. After visiting Shorinji Temple and Toshogu Shrine, we enjoyed a wonderful meal together.

Professor Zhiyan Liu, chairman, department of pathology, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, held the 7^th Thyroid Pathology Congress in Shanghai, The first day program is attached. I participated with my lecture on papillary thyroid carcinoma in the 5^thedition WHO classification.

From June 19–22, I attended the ITC in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil was especially memorable for me, as opportunities to attend conferences there are rare. Before the meeting, I traveled to the Amazon, Brazil and then to Machu Picchu in Chile—truly remarkable experiences. At the ITC, I spoke on “Indeterminate Thyroid Nodule Practices in Asia”(photo 1). Of course, Rio de Janeiro itself offered many wonderful sightseeing opportunities

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After ICC Florence, I traveled to Lyon for the second WHO editorial meeting on the Cytopathology: Head and Neckvolume, held on May 21–22. We engaged in intense discussions and debates on various tumor entities. Consensus was eventually reached, and the volume is scheduled for publication in 2026. This group photo shows the colleagues who were able to attend in person.

My English posts have been a little behind schedule due to a busy period filled with meetings and travel. I would like to share some highlights from recent months.

Florence, May 2025 The first photo is from my presentation “Cytopathologic and Molecular Characterization of Thyroid Nodules” in Symposium 1, chaired by Drs. Fadda and Ali, at the ICC 2025 on May 12. The second photo was taken during my visit to the Galleria degli Uffizi—a truly unforgettable experience.