What Does the Urologist Expect from the Pathologist (and What Can the Pathologists Give) in Reporting on Adult Kidney Tumour Specimens?

In the workshop held in Palermo, common opinion was achieved on a number of points. The TNM 2002 classification is useful, but some adjustments should be made, particularly as referred to the tumour size cut-off, assessment of the invasion of the renal sinus fat tissue, and invasion of the ipsilateral adrenal gland. The Fuhrman's grading system is useful in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and probably also in papillary RCC, but a redefinition for chromophobe RCC is needed. Finally, the determination of certain markers, such as VEGF and HIF, could constitute good target markers for the new therapies, but they remain under investigation.