The 1973 WHO classification of bladder tumours anticipated a probable
need for eventual revision of the criteria for diagnosing papillary and
flat bladder neoplasia. A workshop sponsored by the WHO consisting of
pathologists, urologists, cytologists, oncologists and basic scientists
interested in bladder tumours addressed this subject, and after a
follow- -up meeting sponsored by the International Society of Urological
Pathology, the classification and terminology used in this text were
agreed upon. A major change is in the introduction of a new category:
papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential. Many of the
tumours previously designated as papillary transitional cell carcinoma,
grade I now fall into that category. Another major change is in the
designation of flat lesions, and this includes a definition of carcinoma
in situ. Furthermore, a number of variant forms of urothelials
carcinomas are included as well as new entities not recognized when the
1st edition was issued.