Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

The 2021 WHO Classification of Lung Tumors: Impact of Advances Since 2015

Andrew G. Nicholson, Ming‐Sound Tsao, Mary Beth Beasley, Alain Borczuk, Élisabeth Brambilla, Wendy A. Cooper, Sanja Đačić, Deepali Jain, Keith M. Kerr, Sylvie Lantuéjoul, Masayuki Noguchi, Mauro Papotti, Natasha Rekhtman, Giorgio V. Scagliotti, Paul Van Schil, Lynette M. Sholl, Yasushi Yatabe, Akihiko Yoshida, William D. Travis

Journal of Thoracic Oncology · 2021

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Summary

This consensus document from leading international thoracic pathologists updates the WHO Classification of Lung Tumors to reflect six years of advances in molecular characterisation, diagnostic techniques, and clinical understanding since 2015. The classification serves as a standardised reference framework for pathologists and clinicians involved in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment planning. As a major international guideline, it consolidates emerging biomarkers and diagnostic criteria into formalised classification systems.

UK applicability

The updated WHO classification is directly applicable to UK pathology practice and lung cancer diagnosis, as it provides internationally harmonised diagnostic standards adopted by the National Health Service and UK cancer networks. UK pathologists and oncologists use WHO classifications as the primary reference for tumour reporting and multidisciplinary team discussions.

Key measures

Diagnostic algorithms, pathological classification categories, molecular biomarker integration, tumour histological subtypes

Outcomes reported

The study presents updated diagnostic criteria, molecular biomarkers, and classification algorithms for lung tumours as established by WHO consensus in 2021. It documents changes in pathological classification and incorporation of emerging molecular findings since the 2015 classification.

Theme
Measurement & metrics
Subject
Measurement methods & nutrient profiling
Study type
Guideline
Study design
Narrative review / Guideline
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Human clinical
DOI
10.1016/j.jtho.2021.11.003
Catalogue ID
SNmoi53ir2-dy8ppe

Topic tags

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