Congratulations to Jonathan Chen, MHS, PA(ASCP), staff pathologists’ assistant in Duke Pathology’s Surgical Pathology Laboratory, on the publication of the fourth edition of the “Protocol for the Examination of Specimens from Pediatric Patients with Ewing Sarcoma.”
The updated protocol was released on May 21, 2026, on the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA) Grossing Guidelines website and has been reviewed and accepted by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Chen has played a leading role in shaping this important resource, serving as the primary author for the past two editions.
Ewing sarcoma is a rare, aggressive cancer that typically affects children and adolescents, often originating in the bones or surrounding soft tissues. Standardized protocols like this one help ensure that tissue specimens are examined consistently and thoroughly, supporting accurate diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning across institutions.
In addition, Chen contributes to the field through his service on the AAPA Grossing Guidelines Committee. He currently serves as the Ewing Sarcoma protocol author within the Pediatric Section and as section author for the Bone and Soft Tissue Section, where he oversees the development and review of protocols in these areas. These additional guidelines will be published later this year.
At Duke, Chen is a key member of the surgical pathology team. His professional interests include orthopaedic pathology (bone and soft tissue), head and neck pathology, and endocrine pathology, areas in which he contributes technical expertise and a commitment to advancing best practices.