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Lung cancer: developments, concepts, and specific aspects of the new WHO classification

  • Review – Cancer Research
  • Published:
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Diagnostic methods and algorithms for the diagnosis of pulmonary neoplasms have considerably changed over the recent years. Based on large-scale molecular characterization studies and the development of targeted therapies, precise morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular pathological tumor subtyping is now of utmost importance for evidence-based treatment decisions. Changes of diagnostic concepts initially referred to biopsies and cytology specimens but are now also transferred to resection specimens.

Methods

This review is focused on recent developments in morphological and immunohistochemical subtyping of pulmonary neoplasms and concepts of tumor progression. It also provides perspectives on relevant changes of diagnostic concepts within the context of the new WHO classification.

Conclusion

It becomes apparent that a three-step diagnostic concept based on morphology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular pathology is important to meet the requirements of an increasingly more complex, interdisciplinary care of lung cancer patients and to allow for reliable, clinically meaningful tumor diagnoses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Jena, Ziegelmühlenweg 1, 07743, Jena, Germany

    Iver Petersen

  2. Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

    Arne Warth

  3. Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg, Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Heidelberg, Germany

    Arne Warth

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  1. Iver Petersen
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  2. Arne Warth
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Correspondence to Iver Petersen.

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Petersen, I., Warth, A. Lung cancer: developments, concepts, and specific aspects of the new WHO classification. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 142, 895–904 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-015-2004-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-015-2004-4

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