Interpretation and reunderstanding of the updated pathological classification of renal tumors of World Health Organization in 2022 / 肿瘤研究与临床

ABSTRACT

In 2022, World Health Organization (WHO) launched the 5th edition of the classification of renal tumors. This classification continues to use the previous classification framework of renal tumors based on morphology and tissue structure, and proposes the concept of renal cell carcinoma defined by molecular features for the first time. This article interprets from the 3 aspects of historical changes of WHO classification and grading of renal tumors, comparison of 2022 and 2016 WHO classification of renal tumors, and the role of molecular characteristics in the new pathological types such as ELOC mutant renal cell carcinoma, ALK rearrangement renal cell carcinoma, eosinophilic solid and cystic renal cell carcinoma. The purpose is to better understand the WHO from the traditional classification system based on tissue morphology to a three-in-one integrated classification system covering morphology, immunophenotype and genetic characteristics, and to understand the important value of molecular pathology in guiding the work of pathologists and clinicians under the new classification system.