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

I gave a presentation at the TIRO Webinar on August 14, 2026.

The title of my presentation was “Thyroid Nodule Practice: Risk-Adapted Management from Asian Experience.”

I focused mainly on why thyroid nodule management differs across healthcare systems.

An important next question is how we can translate these principles into everyday clinical practice. Professor Alexander, who served as the discussant, addressed exactly this issue by showing how ultrasound, cytology, molecular testing, and clinical risk assessment can be integrated to optimize patient care.

You can watch the webinar here:

TIRO Webinar – Thyroid Nodule Practice: Risk-Adapted Management from Asian Experience

   

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.