NORTHFIELD, Ill. (April 1, 2026)— A recent cancer protocol update delivers a major restructuring of head and neck cancer reporting, streamlining how these cases are documented and classified.
This release introduces a shift toward more precise, HPV-driven, site-specific protocols, replacing broader legacy protocols to better reflect current disease classification and clinical practice. Updates also include implementation of Version 9 staging from the American Joint Committee on Cancer in select head and neck protocols.
Additional enhancements expand on required reporting elements, such as tumor bed margin status and more detailed lymph node data, along with biomarker updates and terminology refinements aligned with guidance from the World Health Organization.
The College of American Pathologists (CAP) 2026 Q1 release has revisions to 11 protocols and retires two legacy protocols. This work reflects the CAP’s ongoing commitment to providing up-to-date, evidence-based tools that support accurate, standardized cancer reporting.
Some updates are required for laboratory accreditation and may impact accreditation timelines. A full Summary of Revisions is available on cap.org.
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About the College of American Pathologists
As the world’s largest organization of board-certified pathologists and leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. For more information, visit the CAP Newsroom, CAP.org and yourpathologist.org to watch pathologists at work and see the stories of the patients who trust them with their care.