2026 AAPA Cancer Case Photo Submission Details
Eligibility
- Must be a current Fellow, Associate, or Student member of the AAPA.
- Photos submitted for prior publication are not eligible.
- The raw, gross photo must be the original work of the submitting member. Limited use of Photoshop or other editing software allowed for de-identification purposes for the Cancer Case Photo Contest.
- One submission per person, per category. Additionally, a photo can only be submitted for one category. Do not submit the same photo to multiple categories.
- We will once again be accepting fetal image submissions this year. Due to their potentially sensitive nature, though, they will be reviewed by the AAPA Marketing/Communications Committee to determine eligibility prior to inclusion on the ballot for member voting.
Judging Criteria
- Alignment
- Specimen is nicely centered in the frame with good use of space
- Scale
- Ruler used for photo documentation of scale, in proper fashion (desired, but not required)
- Composition
- Photo is simple and uncluttered with all elements enhancing the specimen
- Lighting
- Light improves and enhances the photo’s visibility, clarity, and texture without creating unwanted shadows
- Focus
- Sharp focus of the specimen
- Background
- Crisp and flat; no clutter, amputations, debris/blood, reflections, visible folds, or staining
- Required Elements
- Photo is de-identified (photos with visible case ID numbers will not be accepted)
- Specimen type given
- Pathologic dx/differential provided
Prize
- There will only be one winner per category.
- The winner of each category will be shared with the AAPA Membership.
- The winner of each category will receive free 2027 membership dues or the equivalent in “AAPA Bucks”.
How to Make a Submission
- Submit your photo file using the form below. Image files only, minimum of 300 DPI. Accepted formats: JPEG, PNG, TIFF
- The entry form MUST include:
- Full name
- Member type
- Specimen type
- Final pathologic diagnosis/what the differential is
- If you are unable to submit your photo through the website, please email it to: [email protected]
- Be sure you are submitting your photo under the correct category.
Submission Fine Print
Rights and Use
You (submitting member) will retain your rights to your photograph(s); however, by entering the AAPA Photo Contest, you grant the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA), and those authorized by the AAPA, a royalty-free, world-wide, perpetual, non-exclusive license to publicly display, distribute, reproduce, and create derivative works of the entries, in whole or in part, in any media now existing or later developed, for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertising and promotion of the organization and its website, social media, and print materials, including but not limited to AAPA publications. Any photograph reproduced will include a photographer credit as feasible. The AAPA will not be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such uses; however, the AAPA reserves the right to contact the submitting member as a courtesy prior to any such use.
Judging and Voting
Each photo submission will be reviewed by the AAPA Marketing/Communications Committee. All photos meeting the criteria outlined above will be posted and voted on by Fellow, Associate, and Student members. Each member is allowed to vote once for the best photo in each category. The photo in each category with the most votes at the end of the voting period will be the winner.
Note: If you do not have the final diagnosis at the time of submission, email it to [email protected] once known.
Looking for a different category? Submit photos via the links below: