NORTHFIELD, Ill.—The College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization (WHO), recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen the collaboration on their respective resources that are used in cancer classification, reporting, and ultimately, patient care.
The WHO Classification of Tumours Series (also known as the “WHO Blue Books”), for the histological and molecular classification of tumors, and the CAP Cancer Protocols are essential resources in the classification and reporting of cancer cases.
As part of the MOU, IARC allows the CAP to use the classification structure of the WHO Blue Books in the Cancer Protocols and electronic Cancer Checklists (eCCs). Timely access to this content is critical to ensure that pathologists have the most up-to-date content when reporting on cancer cases. The Cancer Protocols and associated eCCs provide guidelines for collecting the essential data elements for complete reporting of malignant tumors and optimal patient care.
“We understand the importance of the CAP having access to the most current versions of the WHO Blue Books classification structure,” said Ian Cree, BMSc, MBChB, PhD, FRCPath, head of the WHO Classification of Tumours program at IARC. “We are delighted to collaborate and exchange information and resources for the betterment of cancer reporting and patient care.” In addition, the CAP and IARC will nominate representatives to each organization’s group that is responsible for maintaining and updating its resources: the CAP Cancer Committee and the WHO Classification of Tumours Editorial Board, respectively.
IARC has named Dr. Cree as its representative to the CAP Cancer Committee. Joseph Khoury, MD, FCAP, chair of the CAP Cancer Committee, will be nominated to the WHO Classification of Tumours Editorial Board.
“This is a big step forward and will take the collaboration between IARC and CAP to a new level by further strengthening the alignment of our respective publications, which are among the most critical resources to physicians who diagnose and treat patients with cancer,” said Dr. Khoury. “We will work closely together to share progress on timelines for new editions and updates to each organization’s publications.”
About the College of American Pathologists
As the world’s largest organization of board-certified pathologists and leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. As a 501(c)(6) membership organization, the CAP is the only entity representing pathologists with unrestricted advocacy capability and a political action committee, PathPAC. For more information, visit yourpathologist.org to watch pathologists at work and see the stories of the patients who trust them with their care. Read the CAP Annual Report.
About the International Agency for Research on Cancer
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organization (WHO). Its mission is to coordinate and conduct research on the causes of human cancer, the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and to develop scientific strategies for cancer control. The Agency is involved in both epidemiological and laboratory research and disseminates scientific information through publications, meetings, courses, and fellowships.