Data set for reporting paediatric renal tumours: recommendations from the international collaboration on cancer...

Tumours arising within the developing kidney of children vary widely in their histological appearance and outcome; optimal therapy requires accurate classification and staging. The two major paediatric cooperative groups provide different therapeutic protocols based on different staging and classification, initially developed to serve patients in North America and Europe, but also used in many other parts/regions of the world. The International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting (ICCR) has developed a structure whereby such complex information may be harmonised, and able to be applied to patients globally. An international expert panel consisting of paediatric pathologists and oncologists produced a set of items critical to cancer reporting and subjected these to review and discussion using the structured processes provided by the ICCR. A formal ICCR structure was assembled, and consensus surrounding elements and their application to different therapeutic protocols was developed. The data set underwent open international consultation. This resulted in the first international data set for Wilms tumour (WT) and other paediatric renal tumours, provided herein. The use of ICCR methods enables a full understanding of highly complex and often overlapping reporting elements by international experts, and the potential of developing a set of commonly applied data elements that are fully defined. This sets the groundwork for future consolidation of definitions and harmonisation of therapies for WT and other paediatric renal tumour patients. It also allows institutions outside the major paediatric cooperative groups to provide therapy based on known elements.