Impact of WHO Classification of Tumours on cancer prevention, diagnosis, research, public health, and economics

The WHO Classification of Tumours (WCT) serves as a global standard for cancer diagnosis, providing a consistent framework by integrating clinical, histopathological, and molecular tumor characteristics, ensuring unified interpretation of diagnostic findings. Uniform terminology and standardized diagnostic criteria applied by WCT facilitates effective interdisciplinary communication, reduces variability in cancer diagnosis and reporting, enhances collection and comparability of cancer surveillance data, and supports clinical and epidemiological cancer research. The WCT informs the development of cancer screening programs and bolsters early detection strategies through the identification and classification of precursor lesions, playing a pivotal role across the cancer care continuum. Moving towards the sixth edition, the WCT adopts an increasingly multidimensional, interdisciplinary, and global approach. The program will actively contribute to the strategic planning and implementation of cancer prevention and early detection initiatives.