Cancer datasets and tissue pathways

The College's Datasets for Histopathological Reporting on Cancers are vital for standardising cancer reporting methods among pathologists. These datasets define the range of acceptable practice in handling pathology specimens, and enhance cancer diagnosis and treatment quality.

Cancer datasets encompass structured collections of data related to cancer patients. Tissue pathways are instrumental in defining best practices when handling pathology specimens from patients who do not have cancer. These guidelines are pivotal in raising the bar for healthcare standards in pathology.

TNM 9 is to be implemented in most specialties for patients diagnosed on or after 1 January 2026. A full list of staging systems to be used (by specialty) is available in the Recommendations from the Recommendation on the use of tumour staging systems from the College’s Working Group on Cancer Services. See below for the full list of staging recommendations for each specialty.

The updated TNM 9 staging appendices are now available accompanying the datasets below.

Breast

Reporting of breast disease in surgical excision specimens

November 2024

Guidelines for non-operative diagnostic procedures and reporting in breast cancer screening

Bone and soft tissue

Primary bone tumours

January 2021

Soft tissue sarcomas

Tissue pathways for bone and soft tissue pathology

May 2023

Cancer of unknown primary and malignancy of unknown primary origin

Cardiovascular system

Cardiovascular pathology

July 2024

Central nervous system

Tissue pathways for non-neoplastic neuropathology specimens

Central nervous system, including the pituitary gland

Cytopathology

Tissue pathways for diagnostic cytopathology

Endocrine system

Adult adrenal gland

March 2024

Parathyroid

September 2023

Thyroid

August 2023

Tissue pathways for endocrine pathology

April 2019

Eye

Ocular retinoblastoma

January 2025

Conjunctival melanoma

Uveal melanoma

Tissue pathways for Non-neoplastic ophthalmic pathology specimens

Gastrointestinal tract

Anal

April 2024

Appendix

Colorectum

Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumours

September 2012

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours

Liver

Oesophagus

October 2019

Pancreas, ampulla of Vater and common bile duct

Gastrointestinal and Pancreatobiliary

Gynaecological tract

Cervix

March 2021

Endometrium

December 2017

Ovary

Uterine Sarcoma

September 2018

Vulva

Tissue pathways for gynaecological pathology

G073 Tissue pathways for gynaecological pathology

February 2023
An audit on tissue pathways for gynaecological pathology

March 2023
Webinar: Implementation guidance for gynaecological pathology

January 2024

Tissue pathway for histopathological examination of the placenta

An audit of reporting of endometrial carcinomas on biopsy specimens

Head and neck

Oral cavity

October 2023

Pharynx

Nodal excisions & neck dissection

November 2013

We would like to inform you that while this guideline has previously undergone consultation, it will not be published in its current form. The guideline is being reviewed again following the release of the new ICCR, as it is essential to ensure it aligns with our core data requirements.

Due to the comprehensive nature of this review, which involves a complete revision and rewrite of the content, the guideline will need to go through all stages of consultation and approval again, effectively starting the process from the beginning.

We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to deliver a high-quality, evidence-based guideline that meets the latest standards.

The Professional Guidelines team are launching an online learning programme to further support pathologists with the implementation of new and revised clinical guidelines.

Click here for more information and to book a place onto one of the upcoming webinars.

Recently published cancer datasets and tissue pathways

G044 Dataset for histopathological reporting of tumours of the urinary collecting system (renal pelvis, ureter, urinary bladder and urethra) (July 2025)
G114 Dataset for the histopathological reporting of carcinomas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses (17 February 2025)
G055 Dataset for histopathological reporting of ocular retinoblastoma (28 January 2025)
G187 Dataset for histopathological reporting of carcinomas and mucinous neoplasms of the appendix (2 December 2024)
G148 Dataset for histopathological reporting of breast disease in surgical excision specimens of breast cancer (20 November 2024)
G084 Dataset for histopathology reports for prostatic carcinoma (31 October 2024)

Update on Skin Cancer Datasets

Revision of skin datasets is awaiting the upcoming publication of the 5th edition of WHO Skin Tumours.

Upcoming Cancer datasets and tissue pathways

Barrett's oesophagus (new)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (new)
Ear and temporal bone tumours (new)
Malignant odontogenic tumours (new)
Mucosal melanomas of the head and neck (new)