[Small cell lung cancer: pathology and molecular pathology]

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

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.

[Lung cancer. Developments, concepts and preview of the new WHO classification]

The diagnostics of pulmonary neoplasms has considerably changed in 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. This review highlights recent developments in morphological and immunohistochemical subtyping of pulmonary neoplasms, concepts of tumor progression and provides a preview of relevant changes of the forthcoming new WHO classification, which is expected to be published in 2015. It becomes apparent that a 3-step diagnostic procedure 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 reliable, clinically meaningful tumor diagnosis.