The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology: The Quest to Develop a Standardized Terminology

The main purpose of urine cytology is to detect high-grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC). With this principle in mind, The Paris System (TPS) Working Group, composed of cytopathologists, surgical pathologists, and urologists, has proposed and published a standardized reporting system that includes specific diagnostic categories and cytomorphologic criteria for the reliable diagnosis of HGUC. This paper outlines the essential elements of TPS and the process that led to the formation and rationale of the reporting system. The Paris System Working Group, organized at the 2013 International Congress of Cytology, conceived a standardized platform on which to base cytologic interpretation of urine samples. The widespread dissemination of this approach to cytologic examination and reporting of urologic samples and the scheme’s universal acceptance by pathologists and urologists is critical for its success. For urologists, understanding Published online: June 18, 2016 Correspondence to: Dr. Güliz A. Barkan Department of Pathology, Loyola University Healthcare System 2160 S. First Ave, Building 110, Room 2238 Maywood, IL 60153 (USA) E-Mail gbarkan @ lumc.edu © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel 0001–5547/16/0603–0185$39.50/0 www.karger.com/acy Due to the nature of this paper institutional review board approval is waived. ‘The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology: The Quest to Develop a Standardized Terminology’ is jointly published by Advances in Anatomic Pathology, Acta Cytologica, and The Journal of the American Society of Cytopathology on behalf of the authors. D ow nl oa de d by : 54 .7 0. 40 .1 1 11 /2 6/ 20 17 2 :0 2: 35 P M