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The 2010 WHO Classification of Digestive Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: a Critical Appraisal four years after Its Introduction

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Abstract

This paper briefly illustrates the basis, rules of application, and present outcome of the current World Health Organization (WHO) classification for neuroendocrine neoplasms. Established in 2010 upon the proposal from the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS), the WHO 2010 fostered some definitional changes (most notably the use of neuroendocrine tumor (NET) instead of carcinoid) and indicated the tools of grading and staging. Specific rules for its application were also defined. The data generated from the use of WHO 2010 classification substantially endorsed its rules and prognostic efficacy. In addition, the application demonstrated some issues, among which are the possible re-definition of the cutoff for grading G1 vs G2, as well as the possible identification of cases with somewhat different clinical behavior within the G3 neuroendocrine cancer class. Overall, since the recent introduction of WHO 2010 grading and staging, it appears wise to keep the current descriptors to avoid unnecessary confusion and to generate comparable data. Homogenous data on large series are ultimately needed to solve such issues.

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Acknowledgments

This work was in part supported by internal university grants (line D1/2011-2012, Università Cattolica) and by the Associazione Italiana Ricerca sul Cancro–AIRC IG 2013 14696 to GR. The case shown in the figure was seen in consultation requested by Dr. V. D’Alessandro and Dr. A. Fabiano, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Isola Tiberina, Rome.

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  1. Institute of Anatomic Pathology, Policlinico A. Gemelli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo A. Gemelli, 8, Roma, 00168, Italy

    G. Rindi, G. Petrone & F. Inzani

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  1. G. Rindi
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Correspondence to G. Rindi.

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Rindi, G., Petrone, G. & Inzani, F. The 2010 WHO Classification of Digestive Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: a Critical Appraisal four years after Its Introduction. Endocr Pathol 25, 186–192 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12022-014-9313-z

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