[Pathologic-anatomic description and basic morphological information for management of dysplasias and carcinomas of...

Histopathology is the bedrock and cornerstone in the management of malignant tumors. Careful macroscopic description with selection of representative tissue for histologic examination is required for quality assurance and quality improvement and for assessing prognostic factors in cervical cancer specimens. The pathology report in cervical cancer (CX) should include three-dimensional tumor measurement, the exact measurement of depth of infiltration of the cervical wall, tumor grading, the presence of lymphatic space as well as blood vessel involvement. The statement for resection margins should include the vaginal, parametrane, rectal and vesical direction. All resected lymph node should be counted, measured and processed completely in step sections. If lymph node metastases are diagnosed, the report should include the size and count of metastatic nodes in relation to resected nodes. Pelvic and para-aortal nodes should be reported separately. Lymph nodes in the parametrane tissue represent regional nodes; and metastatic involvement should be stated as pN1 and not as pT2b. The tumor typing and staging should be conform with WHO-classification of malignant tumors and the TNM-classification system. The last one should be used in all cases which were surgically treated. Konizations and LOOP-excision specimens should be processed completely in step sections. The pathology report must include the severity of CIN-lesion, changes caused by HPV-infection, according to colposcopic localisation.