Interobserver variation in the classification of thymic tumours - a multicentre study using the WHO classification system

ET Verghese, Michael den Bakker, A (Archie) Campbell, A Hussein, AG Nicholson, A Rice, B Corrin, D Rassl, G Langman, H Monaghan, J Gosney, J Seet, K Kerr, SK Suvarna, M Burke, P Bishop, S Pomplun, Sten Willemsen, B Addis

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Abstract

Aims: To test the reproducibility of the current World Health Organization (WHO) classification of thymic epithelial tumours and to determine the level of interobserver variation within a group of pathologists, all with experience and expertise in thoracic pathology. Methods and results: Ninety-five thymic tumours were circulated to a group of 17 pathologists in the UK and The Netherlands over a 1-year period. Participants were asked to classify them according to WHO criteria. The diagnoses were subjected to statistical analysis and K values calculated. The overall level of agreement was moderate (kappa 0.45). When the categories were reduced in number by creating two groups. (A + AB + B1 + B2 and B3 + C), the level of agreement increased to 0.62. An alternative grouping (A + AB + B1 and B2 + B3 + C) increased it slightly further. The best agreement was in tumour types A and AB. Difficulties arose in distinguishing B1 tumours from B2 tumours and B2 tumours from B3 tumours. Conclusions: Although the WHO system describes a number of well-defined tumour types with clear diagnostic criteria, the overall level of agreement was moderate and improved if some groups were amalgamated.
Original languageUndefined/Unknown
Pages (from-to)218-223
Number of pages6
JournalHistopathology
Volume53
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

Research programs

  • EMC MM-03-24-01
  • EMC NIHES-01-66-01

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