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World J Gastroenterol. May 21, 2014; 20(19): 5679-5684
Published online May 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i19.5679
Pathohistological classification systems in gastric cancer: Diagnostic relevance and prognostic value
Felix Berlth, Elfriede Bollschweiler, Uta Drebber, Arnulf H Hoelscher, Stefan Moenig
Felix Berlth, Elfriede Bollschweiler, Arnulf H Hoelscher, Stefan Moenig, Department of General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
Uta Drebber, Department of Pathology, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
Author contributions: Moenig S, Bollschweiler E and Hoelscher AH contributed ideas from previous publications regarding different classification systems of gastric cancer and also pointed out the position of the German S3 guideline; As an expert pathologist, Drebber U reviewed the manuscript from a pathological point of view and described the clinical routine concerning the diagnosis and classification of gastric cancer; Berlth F generated the topic of the article and wrote the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Stefan Moenig, Professor, Department of General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany. stefan.moenig@uk-koeln.de
Telephone: +49-221-4786273 Fax: +49-221-4787440
Received: October 29, 2013
Revised: January 13, 2014
Accepted: February 16, 2014
Published online: May 21, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: The establishment of a pathohistological classification system for gastric cancer with significant prognostic relevance is highly desirable. Numerous classification systems have been introduced by different authors. Although none of them could reach a consensus, the Laurén classification and the World Health Organization classification are widely used. The characteristics of each classification system as well as the prospect for future developments are presented in this article.