OBJECTIVE: To achieve a closer relationship between urologists and pathologists and to use a common language and identical objectives in the pathology of bladder cancer. METHODS AND RESULTS: Special emphasis was given to an analysis of the new World Health Organization (WHO) grading system, to the interpretation of the last Tumour-Nodes-Metastasis staging rules, and to identifying new markers of prognostic significance in clinical practice. A consensus was achieved on the main points. CONCLUSIONS: The 2004 WHO grading system must become acceptable to clinicians, perhaps by a minimal modification of the present terminology. Simple transurethral resection-biopsy should be expressed in terms of clinical rather than pathological staging. Although there are substantial improvements, no new markers can be recommended for routine use in histopathology at present.
OBJECTIVE: To achieve a closer relationship between urologists and pathologists and to use a common language and identical objectives in the pathology of bladder cancer. METHODS AND RESULTS: Special emphasis was given to an analysis of the new World Health Organization (WHO) grading system, to the interpretation of the last Tumour-Nodes-Metastasis staging rules, and to identifying new markers of prognostic significance in clinical practice. A consensus was achieved on the main points. CONCLUSIONS: The 2004 WHO grading system must become acceptable to clinicians, perhaps by a minimal modification of the present terminology. Simple transurethral resection-biopsy should be expressed in terms of clinical rather than pathological staging. Although there are substantial improvements, no new markers can be recommended for routine use in histopathology at present.