International Academy of Cytology

The International Academy of Cytology (IAC) is a scientific global NGO for cytopathologists and cytologists. The IAC's goals are the advancement of cytopathology and cytology and it promotes research, education and collaboration within the field.

History
The IAC was founded in 1957 in Brussels by a committee of 27 individuals from 19 countries. George N. Papanicoloau was installed as Honorary President. The IAC's first president was Dr. Hans-Klaus Zinser The original name was International Academy of Gynecological Cytology, the IAC renamed itself International Academy of Cytology in 1961 to reflect advances in other fields.

Structure
The IAC is an international umbrella association working together with over 50 national cytology associations including the American Society of Cytopathology, the Società Italiana di Anatomia Patologica e Citologia Diagnostica, the Academía Mexicana de Citopatológica and the European Federation of Cytology Societies.

The current president is Fernando Schmitt, Professor of Pathology at the Medical Faculty of University of Porto, Head of Molecular Pathology Unit at IPATIMUP, Director of RISE (Health Research Network).

Publications
The IAC issues the journal Acta Cytologica at the publishing house Karger. The Acta Cytologica was founded by George L. Wied in 1957, the founding year of the IAC. He served as editor-in-chief until 2004.

In collaboration with the WHO, especially the IARC the IAC works on the definition of international nomenclature of tumors. Together they have published two books: One on the reporting system of lung cytopathology and one on the reporting system of pancreaticobiliary cytopathology.