RANZCR Pathology study plan

RANZCR Pathology · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Pathology (general and systemic pathology relevant to clinical radiology)

Map the syllabus into an organ-system checklist and rank topics by exam weight and personal weakness
Define the core vocabulary of general pathology: cellular injury, necrosis versus apoptosis, and reversible versus irreversible change
Explain acute and chronic inflammation, granuloma formation, and the four types of hypersensitivity reaction
Classify neoplasia by behaviour, differentiation, and staging versus grading principles

A one-page organ-system weight-and-weakness matrix with every syllabus topic rated 1-5 for confidence

Week 2

Describe the pathogenesis and radiological relevance of atherosclerosis, thrombosis, embolism, and infarction
Outline fluid and haemodynamic disturbances, including oedema, congestion, and haemorrhage
Summarise the systemic amyloidoses and their organ-specific imaging appearances
Compare the inherited and acquired coagulopathies that alter bleeding risk before biopsy or intervention

A 20-item self-test on vascular and haemodynamic pathology scored and error-logged

Week 3

Explain the molecular basis of carcinogenesis, oncogenes, and tumour suppressor genes
Describe the metastatic cascade and the routes of spread for common malignancies
Differentiate paraneoplastic syndromes by the tumour most often responsible
Identify tumour markers and state their limitations in diagnosis and monitoring

A written table of 15 tumour markers with the associated tumour, false-positive causes, and monitoring role

Week 4

Summarise the pathology of the respiratory system: obstructive versus restrictive disease, pneumonia patterns, and interstitial lung disease
Explain the classification and behaviour of lung carcinoma and pleural disease
Describe the pathology of the cardiovascular system, including ischaemic heart disease, valvular disease, and cardiomyopathy
Relate each respiratory and cardiac entity to its typical imaging pattern

A 30-question mixed-format quiz on respiratory and cardiovascular pathology with a written review of every missed item

Week 5

Outline gastrointestinal pathology: inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, ischaemia, and diverticular disease
Explain the adenoma-carcinoma sequence and hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes
Describe hepatobiliary pathology, including cirrhosis, steatosis, viral hepatitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma
Summarise pancreatic and renal pathology, including cystic disease, glomerulonephritis patterns, and renal cell carcinoma

A one-page decision tree linking common abdominal presentations to likely pathology and next imaging step

Week 6

Describe breast pathology: fibroadenoma, papilloma, ductal carcinoma in situ, and invasive carcinoma subtypes
Explain gynaecological pathology, including endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma, ovarian tumour categories, and cervical neoplasia
Outline male genitourinary pathology, including prostatic hyperplasia versus carcinoma and testicular germ cell tumours
Summarise thyroid and adrenal pathology, including nodule risk stratification and adrenal incidentaloma differentials

A comparative table of 12 breast, gynaecological, and genitourinary tumours with typical age, marker, and imaging feature

Week 7

Describe central and peripheral nervous system pathology, including glioma grading, meningioma, metastases, and demyelination
Explain bone and soft tissue pathology, including primary bone tumours by age group and metastatic bone disease
Outline haematological pathology, including lymphoma classification, myeloma, and myeloproliferative disorders
Summarise paediatric and developmental pathology relevant to imaging, including congenital malformations and childhood tumours

A 40-question cumulative mock exam covering all systems, with a scored error log grouped by system

Week 8

Re-drill the highest-error topics identified in the week 7 mock exam
Recite the key discriminators for the 25 most commonly tested entities from memory
Explain the pathological basis of common radiological signs and staging classifications
Practise rapid interpretation of pathology-heavy vignettes under timed conditions

A full-length timed mock exam with a final error review and a written list of remaining weak areas to revisit

Week 2: Complete the week 2 self-test with at least 70 percent correct and every error logged with a corrected explanation

Week 4: Score at least 65 percent on the respiratory and cardiovascular quiz and show that no system remains rated below 3 for confidence

Week 6: Produce all comparative tables and demonstrate recall of tumour markers and tumour categories without notes

Week 7: Score at least 70 percent on the cumulative mock exam and identify the three weakest systems from the error log

Week 8: Achieve at least 75 percent on the final timed mock exam with a documented remediation list