The World Health Organization's Histological Classification of Lung Tumors: a comparison of the first and second editions.

Revision of the WHO Histological Classification of Lung Tumors of 1967 has resulted in the 1981 publication of the second edition. The main features of the revisions have been summarized. Squamous cell carcinoma (epidermoid carcinoma) has the same definition as in the original version, ie, the identification of keratin and/or intercellular bridges by light microscopy.

The international histological classification of tumours.

This article reviews the development of the WHO project on the histological classification of tumours, which has included the establishment of several collaborating centres and has involved more than 300 pathologists in over 50 countries. The project has resulted in the publication, over the last 14 years, of 25 volumes in the first series of the International Histological Classification of Tumours (IHCT), each giving a classification of tumours specific to a certain site. The classifications are based primarily on the microscopic characteristics of the tumours and are concerned with morphologically identifiable cell types and histological patterns as seen by means of light microscopy and conventional staining techniques.

Precancerous conditions and epithelial dysplasia in the stomach.

A distinction can be made between a precancerous condition and a precancerous lesion. The former is a clinical state associated with a significantly increased risk of cancer, whereas a precancerous lesion is a histopathological abnormality in which cancer is more likely to occur than in its apparently normal counterpart. Up to the present time atrophic gastritis, gastric ulcer, pernicious anaemia, gastric stumps, gastric polyps, and Ménétrier's disease have all been considered as precancerous conditions and lesions of the stomach.

Human lymph node morphology as a function of age and site.

Cervical, axillary, cubital, inguinal, popliteal, and mesenteric lymph nodes from subjects of various ages who had died a sudden death were examined histologically. Care was taken to establish by morphometry the proportional distribution in lymph node cross-sections of cortical, paracortical, and medullary areas. In addition, numbers and surface areas of cross-sectioned germinal centres were registered.

Incidence of prostatic carcinoma.

Prostatic carcinoma is a common cancer. It shows geographical differences in incidence which may help in the search for its etiology. It differs from lung cancer in age distribution.

The morphology of cirrhosis. Recommendations on definition, nomenclature, and classification by a working group sponsored by the World Health Organization.

This memorandum provides guidelines on the definition, nomenclature, and classification of cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, and hepatic fibrosis. These are considered according to morphological characteristics and aetiology. It is hoped that this system will serve as a standard for diagnostic, research, and epidemiological purposes.

The WHO histological classification of urinary bladder tumours.

The WHO histological classification of urinary bladder tumours was formulated to promote better international communication and more reliable statistical comparisons. The axes of classification concern histological type, grade of anaplasia and growth pattern.

Standardization and the histopathology of tumours.

Standardization of tumor classifications is a prerequisite in facilitating international communication in cancer research. Standardized classifications are not meant to replace, or compete with, conceptual classifications. The World Health Organization's efforts in this field give consideration to definitions of tumour types, terminology, formats of categorization, and codes.

The morphology of cirrhosis: definition, nomenclature, and classification.

This article provides guidelines on the definition, nomenclature, and classification of cirrhosis, hepatic fibrosis, and chronic hepatitis. Cirrhosis is considered according to its etiology and morphological characteristics, these being complementary rather than alternative.

A proposal for a standardized system of reporting human lymph node morphology in relation to immunological function.

This memorandum proposes a standardized system of reporting the histology of human lymph nodes based on commonly used simple staining techniques. The purpose is to provide a uniform, internationally acceptable system by which the histological structure of lymph nodes can be correlated with other parameters of immunological status. The proposed protocols are intended to provide information that is not available in conventional written reports that use such terms as ;hyperplasia' or ;nonspecific lymphadenitis'.

A proposal for a standardized system of reporting human lymph node morphology in relation to immunological function.

This Memorandum proposes a standardized system of reporting the histology of human lymph nodes based on commonly used simple staining techniques. The purpose is to provide a uniform, internationally acceptable system by which the histological structure of lymph nodes can be correlated with other parameters of immunological status. The proposed protocols are intended to provide information that is not available in conventional written reports, that use such terms as "hyperplasia" or "nonspecific lymphadenitis".