title: [Gross tumor volume and clinical target volume in radiotherapy: generalities. Definitions and generalities in anatomic pathology].
abstract: In the field of oncology, surgical pathology analysis of biopsies or surgical specimens directly determines the care program of each patient. Without going into too much detail, we report here the description of different characteristics of neoplastic lesions, necessary or useful for the establishment of the care program of the patients. These macroscopic and microscopic analyses should result in the most precise possible diagnosis and should take into account a list of other factors which allow the development of an optimal strategy for therapy, and the establishment of prognosis of the tumor. These characteristics include properties of the tumor such as the size, shape, exact location, and the grade of the lesion, etc. They also concern the relationship of the tumor to certain structures like the basal membranes, the stroma reaction, the lymphatic vessels, the nerves, and so forth. The description of local and locoregional spreading, as well as the analysis of the surgical margins gives essential information as well. Finally, in certain cases, the description of modifications induced by neoadjuvant therapy allows the evaluation of the treatment's efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Service d'anatomie et de cytologie pathologiques, centre Georges-François-Leclerc, 1, rue Professeur-Marion, BP 7798, 21080 Dijon, France. larnould@dijon.fnclcc.fr
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Arnould
mesh_terms: D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011379:Prognosis