[Pathology of urological tumours--methods, functions, results (author's transl)]

The primary requirement of clinically-oriented tumour pathology is an accurate histological technique. Multiple-step sections are usually required in processing biopsies or lymph nodes. Furthermore, large block sections have proven to be very valuable. The intraoperative examination of frozen sections is of great importance for operations tailored to the specific situation. A new, automated histophotometric method for intraoperative diagnosis--which could be operated by auxiliary staff--is being put to trial at the present time. Basic requirements of modern tumour pathology are exact typing, grading and staging, as well as intensive participation in clinical cancer registration. Tumour pathology not only provides a reliable diagnosis, but also helps in making therapeutic decisions, establishing the prognosis in an individual case and in evaluating therapeutic results. New results of tumour pathology in renal cell cancer, carcinoma of the urinary bladder and testicular tumours form the basis of histology- and stage-oriented cancer treatment in urological tumours.