Pathology of lung and pleural tumours

Lung and pleural malignancy is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Approaches to diagnosis and management are evolving, based on both technological and scientific advances. A basic understanding of the classification of lung and pleural tumours and approaches to their pathological diagnosis is important for all those involved in managing these patients. To this end, we present an overview of the current classification of lung tumours, briefly discuss their aetiology and pathogenesis, describe pathological aspects of the diagnosis and staging of bronchial carcinoma (including an outline of the developing role of molecular approaches to refining oncological management), and finally review the pathology of mesothelioma and it differential diagnosis.