title: The Pathology of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Progress in the 20th and 21st Centuries.
abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. There has been significant progress in the pathologic description and pathophysiologic analysis of COPD in the 20th and 21st centuries. We review the history, progression, and significance of pathologic alterations in COPD, including emphysematous changes, airway alterations, and vascular alterations. We also indicate what pathologic features of COPD the practicing pathologist should be describing in standard surgical and autopsy specimens.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Pathology at St Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Kyra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: Joanne L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000403:Airway Resistance; D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000150:complications; D000072356:Parenchymal Tissue / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000209:etiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology