Diagnosis of paediatric tumours of the central nervous system is often difficult because WHO classification criteria are mainly defined for adults tumours and do not always apply to their paediatric counterparts. These tumours are rare (400 cases/year among more than 50 pathological subtypes per year in France). Pathological diagnosis may be a challenge for a general pathologist with a too low number of paediatric cases in his recruitment. Hence, a reference group of paediatric neuropathologists was formed (GENOP) on the behalf of the comité "Tumeurs Cérébrales" de la Société Française de lutte contre les Cancers de l'Enfant. This network is supported by the Institut National du Cancer (INCa). GENOP aim is to structure a centralised review of paediatric central nervous system tumours in order to harmonise neuropathological diagnosis at the national level and enhance patients care. Cases assessed during the last 3 years led GENOP to better identify tumours subtypes for which there is a diagnostic challenge. A set of immunohistochemical or molecular specialised techniques was developed, leading to an increased diagnostic accuracy. It allowed a better distinction between diffuse and circumscribed glioma, a better recognition of glioneuronal differentiation and a better subtyping of embryonal tumours such as medulloblastomas. Inter-observer agreement varied according to the tumour subtypes.
Keywords: Central nervous system; Double lecture; Network; Paediatric tumours; Pathologic review; Réseau; Système nerveux central; Tumeurs pédiatriques.
Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.