WHO’s International Reference Centres for the Histopathological Definition and Classification of Tumours
The author presents the work achieved by the World Health Organization in the field of histological .nomenclatiire and classification £f human _ turnours, through International Reference Centres and co-operating centres established in different parts of the world. Pathologists are exchanging material and diagnoses, and testing a proposed classification. A total of 36 pathologists from 21 countries are involved in this type of co-operating work. The following tumour sites are now being worked upon: lung, soft tissues, breast, leukaemias and other neoplastic conditions of the haematopoietic cells and oro-pharynx. Functions and mechanisms are given in detail. The first final classification is expected to be ready by 1964 for international adoption.