Recently recognized epithelial tumours of the kidney

In this review, I will concentrate on the recognition of diagnostic categories developed as part of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. This classification, which reflects much of our current thinking on the genetics and pathology of renal malignancy, is recommended for diagnostic use and for use in research studies. In addition to histological diagnosis there are other pieces of data, including stage and grade, which are critical in the pathological evaluation of renal malignancy. Accurate staging, using the TNM categories, requires careful dissection to a defined protocol. Grade remains problematic and has not been validated for individual tumour types.