New methods in immunocytochemistry and hybridization techniques enable the pathologist active in diagnosis to clarify more effectively problems in the classification and prognosis of tumors. By adopting these methods into his diagnostic repertoire it will be possible to create a closer, more productive connection between morphological diagnosis and clinical work. This volume gives the reader an up-to-date general survey from international experts of the method, technique and practical application of these new procedures.

In 1967 cardiologists in Switzerland were struck by the sudden increase in the number of cases of so-called primary pulmonary hypertensive disease (PPHD). Up untill966, the cardiology centers in Switzerland had not seen more than one or two cases a year, but this number suddenly multiplied by ten or twenty times. At the June 1968 meeting ofthe Swiss Society of Cardiology, Gurtner et al. (1968b) presented a paper which raised the question whether the vascular types of cor pulmonale had increased. They also raised the question about the possible responsibility of environmental factors, such as toxins or drugs, in causing this increase. Krrihenbuhl et al. (1968) first suggested the possible responsibility of anorexigenic drugs, but no proof was provided. Soon after this, the cardiology team in Bem (Gurtner et al., 1968a) published their report, which resumed and completed the above-mentioned prelim inary communication; 31 cases of PPHD, among which 17 had taken an anorexigenic drug, aminorex fumarate (Menocil, Cilag), were reported. The importance of this work was soon recognized and it was followed by several meetings (in Vienna, Hannover, and Burgenstock) and two round tables sponsored by the Swiss Society of Cardiology (in Montreux and Basel)."

This second edition updates the "WHO Classification of Endocrine Tumours" proposed in 1980 and incorporates many new tumour entities and pertinent concepts that have developed since that time. It is the result of a collaborative effort between 9 pathologists from different countries, in addition to informal contributions and discussions by many other colleagues. In particular, efforts have been made to integrate into the fundamental backbone of the histologic classification a number of prognostic and functional parameters now essential for appropriate diagnosis and clinicopathologic evaluation of endocrine tumours.