Background: As part of the international cooperative effort to develop a complete set of International Neuroblastoma Risk Groups, the International Neuroblastoma Pathology Committee (INPC) initiated activities in 1994 to devise a morphologic classification of neuroblastic tumors (NTs; neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma, and ganglioneuroma).
Methods: Six member pathologists (H.S., I.M.A., L.P.D., J.H., V.V.J., and B.R.) discussed and defined morphologically based classifications (Shimada classification; risk group and modified risk group proposed by Joshi et al.) on the basis of a review of 227 cases, using various pathologic characteristics of the NTs. The classification-grading system was evaluated for prognostic significance and biologic relevance.
Results: The INPC has adopted a prognostic system modeled on one proposed by Shimada et al. It is an age-linked classification dependent on the differentiation grade of the neuroblasts, their cellular turnover index, and the presence or absence of Schwannian stromal development. Based on morphologic criteria defined in this article, NTs were classified into four categories and their subtypes: 1) neuroblastoma (Schwannian stroma-poor), undifferentiated, poorly differentiated, and differentiating; 2) ganglioneuroblastoma, intermixed (Schwannian stroma-rich); 3) ganglioneuroma (Schwannian stroma-dominant), maturing and mature; and 4) ganglioneuroblastoma, nodular (composite Schwannian stroma-richlstroma-dominant and stroma-poor). Specific features, such as the mitosis-karyorrhexis index, the mitotic rate, and calcification, were also included to allow the prognostic significance of the classification to be tested. Recommendations are made regarding the surgical materials to use for an optimal pathobiologic assessment and the practical handling of samples.
Conclusions: The current article covers the essentials and important points regarding the histopathologic evaluation of NTs. Using the morphologic criteria described herein, the INPC is proposing the International Neuroblastoma Pathology Classification. It is reported in a companion article in this issue (Cancer 1999;86:363-71).