Sarcomas in north west England: I. Histopathological peer review.
A total of 468 cases of bone, soft tissue and visceral sarcomas (and certain other tumours) diagnosed during the years 1982-84 in North West England were entered in a study of histopathological peer review, incidence and survival. This paper describes the effects of peer review. Material was reviewed by a panel of five pathologists for 413 of the 450 cases originally registered as sarcomas with the Regional Cancer Registry. The diagnosis of sarcomas was confirmed in 76% cases and and there was agreement on sub-type for 53% cases. Measures of agreement were lowest for the two sub-types most commonly diagnosed i.e. malignant fibrous histiocytoma and leiomyosarcoma. Degree of agreement between individual pathologists and final panel diagnosis was also very variable but never less than 65%. It is concluded that second opinion is essential in cases of presumed sarcomas for studies of incidence and aetiology and to ensure that appropriate treatment is selected.
Harris
M
M
Department of Pathology, Christie Hospital and Holt Radium Institute, Manchester, UK.
Hartley
A L
AL
Blair
V
V
Birch
J M
JM
Banerjee
S S
SS
Freemont
A J
AJ
McClure
J
J
McWilliam
L J
LJ
D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D010380:Peer Review; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology