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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: jcp.2005.031138v1 59/12/1238    most recent Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Suster, S Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Suster, S Pubmed/NCBI databases Medline Plus Health Information Thymus Cancer

Diagnosis of thymoma

Correspondence to:
S Suster
Department of Pathology, Ohio State University, E-411 Doan Hall, 410 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;saul.suster{at}odumc.edu
ABSTRACT
The diagnosis of thymic epithelial neoplasm has been a topic of controversy for many years. Reasons for this include the lack of predictive value associated with the morphology of these tumours and the multiplicity of classification schemes and terminologies proposed over the years. Recently, a new classification schema was introduced by the World Health Organization (WHO) in an attempt to standardise nomenclature and facilitate the diagnosis of primary thymic epithelial neoplasms. This schema, although not originally intended as a new histological classification, but rather as a means for translating equivalent terms from the various existing classifications, has represented a major step forward in this direction. However, problems still exist with the WHO schema, particularly with some of the criteria for the various histological subtypes as well as with issues of interobserver reproducibility. For this reason, we favour using a much more simplified approach to the morphological classification of thymic epithelial neoplasms. A personal approach to the morphological diagnosis of thymoma is described, with a brief explanation for the rationale for simplifying the existing diagnostic categories.

Abbreviations: CAP, College of American Pathologists; WHO, World Health Organization