Handling and pathology reporting of specimens with carcinoma of the urinary bladder, ureter, and renal pelvis.

Abstract

Pathologists play a pivotal role in the diagnosis and in the report of the pathological features related to prognosis. To meet these endpoints, the following issues must be accomplished: adequate information about the patient history, proper handling of the specimens, identification of the reliable histopathological techniques necessary to reach the more detailed diagnostic information and evaluate the prognostic variables, and a standardized pathological report. Recent efforts to standardize the histopathological evaluation have generated significant confusion among the urological and pathological communities as well. No consensus has been achieved about the optimal pathological grading of urothelial tumors, to date. A proposal for standardization of sampling and reporting of the urothelial tissues achieved within Uropathology follows. The urologists have a great role in assisting pathologists in the proper examination by providing them with clinical information.