Neoplasms Overview

Introduction

The most widely accepted classification of brain neoplasms is sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO). A working group of world-renowned neuropathologists periodically convenes for a consensus conference on brain tumor classification and grading. The results are then published. An update to the 2007 edition of the so-called “Blue Book” is scheduled for early 2017.

Brain tumors are both classified and graded. Although this is rapidly changing with the advent of molecular profiling, histological grading has been the primary means of predicting the biological behavior of tumors. Although many different grading schemas have been proposed, the WHO classification and grading of CNS neoplasms is the most widely accepted and is utilized in this text.

Classification/Grading of CNS Neoplasms