[Current options and principles of pathomorphology-based tumour diagnostics]

Area of Science:

• Pathomorphology
• Oncology
• Molecular Diagnostics

Context:

• Modern tumor diagnostics integrate cytology and tissue biopsy examination.
• Accurate tumor classification requires histological typology, biological characterization, and evaluation of prognostic/predictive indicators.
• Advanced techniques like immunohistochemistry and molecular pathology are crucial for assessing these indicators.

Purpose:

• To outline the essential components of contemporary tumor diagnostics.
• To highlight the role of prognostic and predictive indicators in patient management.
• To detail the application of specific biomarkers and techniques in various cancer types.

Summary:

• Tumor diagnostics involve comprehensive cell and tissue examination, including grading, staging (TNM system), and lymph node assessment.
• Prognostic indicators like invasion depth and receptor status (e.g., estrogen, progesterone) are evaluated.
• Predictive pathology utilizes biomarkers (e.g., HER2, HER1, K-ras, CD markers) to guide targeted therapies and treatment selection.
• Identifying the primary tumor site from metastases is a challenging but achievable task using antibody panels and organ-specific markers.

Impact:

• Enables precise tumor classification and characterization.
• Facilitates personalized medicine through biomarker-driven treatment selection.
• Improves prognostic accuracy and patient management strategies.
• Aids in determining the primary tumor origin, even in metastatic cases.