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Updated: Feb 24, 2026
Processing of Primary Brain Tumor Tissue for Stem Cell Assays and Flow Sorting
Published on: September 25, 2012
[Alterations in the WHO classification of brain tumors from 2016]
1Institut für Neuropathologie, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Kirrberger Strasse 100, Gebäude 90.3, 66421, Homburg/Saar, Deutschland. Walter.Schulz-Schaeffer@uks.eu.
Background:
The World Health Organization (WHO) provides uniform definitions and a uniform nomenclature for tumors of various organs.
Objective:
What changes resulted from the 2016 WHO classification of tumors of the central nervous system?
Material And Methods:
Changes in the definition and classification of brain tumors of the revised WHO classification are presented. Most changes evolve from the results of molecular pathology that were generated during the last decade.
Results:
For the first time the WHO classification of brain tumors is not based exclusively on histology. Molecular parameters add to the definition of a number of tumor entities. Especially the chapters of gliomas, medulloblastomas and other embryonal tumors have been restructured.
Conclusion:
Advances in molecular pathology require a modular diagnostics scheme that integrates histological and molecular parameters into a final diagnosis. This approach will result in more precise tumor groups with respect to prognosis and therapy.
