The WHO 2021 Classification of Central Nervous System tumours: a practical update on what neurosurgeons need to know-a minireview

Sverre Helge Torp; Ole Solheim; Anne Jarstein Skjulsvik

doi:10.1007/s00701-022-05301-y

The WHO 2021 Classification of Central Nervous System tumours: a practical update on what neurosurgeons need to know-a minireview

Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2022 Sep;164(9):2453-2464. doi: 10.1007/s00701-022-05301-y. Epub 2022 Jul 26.

Authors

Sverre Helge Torp^{1

2}, Ole Solheim^{3

4}, Anne Jarstein Skjulsvik^{5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Laboratory Centre, NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology, St. Olavs Hospital, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway. sverre.torp@ntnu.no.
² Department of Pathology, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. sverre.torp@ntnu.no.
³ Department of Neurosurgery, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
⁴ Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
⁵ Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Laboratory Centre, NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology, St. Olavs Hospital, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway.
⁶ Department of Pathology, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumours, also known as WHO Blue Books, represents an international standardised tool in the diagnostic work-up of tumours. This classification system is under continuous revision, and progress in the molecular classification of tumours in the central nervous system (CNS) enforced an update of the WHO 2016 classification, and the fifth edition, WHO CNS5, was published in 2021. The aim of this minireview is to highlight important changes in this new edition relevant for the practicing neurosurgeon.

Methods: The sixth volume of the fifth edition of the WHO Blue Books of CNS tumours and related papers formed the basis for this minireview.

Results: Major changes encompass standardisation of tumour grading and nomenclature as well as increased incorporation of molecular markers in the classification of CNS tumours.

Conclusion: Advances in molecular genetics have resulted in more accurate diagnosis and prognosis of CNS tumours, and this minireview summarises important changes implemented in the last edition of WHO classification of CNS tumours important for the practicing neurosurgeon.

Keywords: Biomarker; Brain tumours; Diagnosis; Molecular genetics; Pathology.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Central Nervous System Neoplasms* / diagnosis
Humans
Neurosurgeons*
World Health Organization