title: [Classification and pathogenesis of lung carcinoma].
abstract: The international standard for histologic classification of lung tumours is that proposed by the WHO/IASLC (1999). Ninety percent of these cancers are distributed in squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma, all related to tobacco smoke carcinogens, responsible for 90% of tumours. As a consequence of their derivation from totipotential stem cells, heterogeneity is common. They arise from multifocal preinvasive lesions reflecting the "field cancerization" process of the entire bronchial tree. All together 1999 WHO classification offers a valuable hallmark for clinical, biological, and epidemiological studies, and a solid basis for inclusion of patients in randomized therapeutical trials as well as for interpretation of sensibility or resistance to new therapeutic agents.
authors.affiliation: Groupe de recherche sur le cancer bronchique INSERM U. 9924 Laboratoire de pathologie cellulaire Centre hospitalier universitaire de Grenoble 38043 Grenoble. EBrambilla@chu-grenoble.fr
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brambilla
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lantuejoul
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sturm
mesh_terms: D002277:Carcinoma / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology; D014944:World Health Organization