TABLE 2.

Definition of Response Differs According to Tumor Type: Histopathologic Evaluation System

Tumor typeEvaluation systemDefinition of response
Esophageal carcinomasMandard system (24)No or only a few scattered residual tumor cells (regression scores 1 and 2)
Bone tumorsSalzer–Kuntschik system (25)Salzer–Kuntschik grades I–III: less than 10% residual vital tumor area (grade I, 0%; II, single vital areas; and III, <10%)
Breast cancer (7)Previously described criteria (26,27)Macroscopic (absence of macroscopically visible tumor) or microscopic (histologic absence of invasive tumor cells) response
Breast cancer (13)No recognizable invasive tumor cells (ductal carcinoma in situ may be present)
Head and neck cancer (11)No viable residual tumor cells in any section
Non–small cell lung cancerTissue negative for malignant cells
Locally advanced rectal cancerComplete regression or rare residual cancer cells
Gynecologic cancerNo tumor (complete response) or residual microscopic disease only