Abstract
Recently updated classifi cation of the central nervous system (CNS) tumours prepared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2016 uses, in addition to the histopathological criteria, also molecular genetic characteristics (biomarkers) of tumour cells and introduces the so-called integrated diagnostics concept for the fi rst time. Molecular genetic biomarkers often have a major impact on the patients' prognosis and/or selection of an appropriate therapy in a variety of tumour entities.
This update represents a signifi cant progress compared to the 2007 classifi cation of CNS tumours. The more precise classifi cation of tumours using well-known and widely accepted molecular genetic biomarkers, will also facilitate further research in anticancer therapeutics and consistent inclusion of patients into clinical trials.
The presence of a tumour group called "not otherwise specifi ed" (NOS) is the major drawback of this novel approach. Tumours currently classifi ed as the NOS entities are likely to be more accurately characterized with an ongoing neurooncological research in molecular genetics.
The operational and technical barriers of molecular genetic analyses will be also overcome and this will further enable signifi cant reduction of the NOS tumour entities. It is assumed that the new classifi cation will facilitate clinical, experimental as well as epidemiological studies and thereby will improve the life of patients with brain tumours.
This review presents the key fi ndings from the new classifi cation of the CNS tumours together with their clinical sequelae.