Genitourinary Pathology Reporting Parameters Most Relevant to the Medical Oncologist

Abstract

Pathologic variables play an important role in prognostication in urologic malignancies. Histologic subtype, histologic grade, and anatomic extent of disease (pathologic tumor and nodal staging) influence treatment decisions in both the adjuvant and metastatic settings. This article discusses treatment paradigms for the most common urologic malignancies, followed by the evidence base to support the relationship between pathologic assessment and decision making by the medical oncologist.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Kidney cancer; Pathology; Prostate cancer; Risk assessment; Testicular cancer; Urothelial cancer.