IACR Newsflash
Overview of ICD-O-4 Published
Overview of the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, 4th Edition (ICD-O-4)
This paper summarises the rationale and content of the new 4th edition (ICD-O-4) of the International Classification of Diseases for hashtag#Oncology (ICD-O). ICD-O is the longstanding system used byhashtag#CancerRegistries for coding tumours according to their site of origin (topography), microscopic appearance or histology, behaviour and grade, and is optimal for use in cancer registries. ICD-O-4 provides an improved structure of unique codes to existent and newly defined tumour entities and has been harmonised with the International Classification of Diseases 11th Edition (ICD-11).
After a period of consultation with cancer registries, ICD-O-4 is published following a review of the fifth Edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Tumours (WCT) which recognised several new tumour entities and introduced certain tumours that were molecularly defined with clinically relevant molecular profiles. Upon its completion, there was a compelling need for an updated ICD-O that would allow for unique codes to be assigned to the newly-defined tumour entities, facilitating the accurate coding of tumours included in the current and future editions of the WCT.
Included as supplementary material are the ICD-O-4 main tables (containing 414 topography and 2450 morphology codes) and the list of changes from ICD-O-3.2.
The finalised ICD-O-4 topography and morphology tables will be available on the IARC WCT website while the official ICD-O-4 publication (with WHO) is in preparation.
Znaor A, Rous B, Levy GG, Watanabe R, Jakob R, Krpelanova E, Wijesinghe HD, Puspanathan P, Cree IA, Bray F, Lokuhetty D. The International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, 4th Edition (ICD-O-4): An overview. Cancer Epidemiol. 2026 Jan 22;101:102989. doi: https://lnkd.in/eDiyyfsB. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41576584
REMINDER: Beware of Email Scams!
Beware of phishing (email) scams using IACR’s and IACR officers’ identities
We wish to alert our members and colleagues to the important issue of online scams, phishing and other types of cyber attacks using our association’s identity and the names of our officers. These malicious entities are sending emails to solicit funds and donations under false pretenses, claiming to represent IACR or sending the messages on behalf of our Officers (see sample message below).
Please be advised:
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IACR does not solicit funds for personal assistance or any individual causes. Any requests for financial contributions that do not come through our official channels on membership, fellowships and conference registration should be treated with caution.
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Please verify the source of any communication that asks for money or personal information. If you receive a suspicious email or message, do not respond or click on any links. Instead, report it to us immediately. Do not hesitate to write us if you are in doubt of the message that you receive from IACR.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and for helping us keep our community safe.
Prof Dr Adriano Laudico
We learned of the very sad news of Dr Adriano Laudico’s passing on 10 November 2024.
Dr Laudico trained as a cancer surgeon, dedicating his life to helping others. Working initially with Drs Max Parkin and Calium Muir, a close relationship with the Agency began nearly 40 years ago. Considered by many as the father of cancer registration in the Philippines, he led under the Philippine Cancer Society the establishment of the first population-based cancer registry covering the original four cities of Metro Manila. Later together with Dr. Divina Esteban, he led the DOH Rizal Cancer Registry covering the 13 municipalities-turned-cities of Metro Manila. He made numerous contributions in research and the development of educational resources.
As a teacher, Dr Laudico mentored medical students in surgery, pain medicine, and epidemiology. His work was recognized among global peers with the distinction of being awarded an Honorary Lifetime Award from the International Association for Cancer Registries for his achievements.
As a person, Dr Laudico embodied a warm, humble and sincere approach that came through in the first minutes of meeting him. A fierce believer in doing the right thing, he stayed active in supporting the cancer registry long after his retirement. Dr Laudico cited his greatest professional achievement as successfully advocating for the availability of outpatient oral morphine for pain relief in palliative care patients. This followed from an injury he had incurred where the personal experience made him determined to not allow others to suffer without pain relief.
Dr Laudico was a dedicated colleague who became a friend to many peers worldwide.
Our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
Photos (Clockwise):
1) Dr A. Laudico;
2) Dr Laudico at the IACR 2016 Annual Conference in Marrakesh with IARC’s Isabelle Soerjomataram and Chelle Fernan.
3) Taken in Sept 2023 at the Manila Cancer Registry. Dr Laudico and Dr Rachael Rosario (whom we also lost in May 2024);
4) Dr Laudico and Les Mery during the latter’s visit to Manila Sept 2023; and
Bottom photo: Drs Laudico (rightmost), Freddie Bray, Rica Mirasol-Lumague, Rachael Rosario, Manila
CI5 Volume XII Print Version
CI5 Volume XII (IARC Scientific Publication No. 169) is now available for download in PDF format from the IARC Publications website: https://publications.iarc.who.int.
The seven chapters documenting the underlying processes, from the call for data to compilation, are available here.
Dr Maja Primic Zakelj
Dr Maja Primic Zakelj, A Tribute
Dr Zakelj, an internationally renowned cancer epidemiologist with extensive experience and expertise in cancer screening and cancer registration, passed away in October of this year.
Maja worked as a specialist in epidemiology and public health at the Institute of Oncology in Ljubljana, Slovenia from 1981, and headed the Slovenian Cancer Registry from 2003 to 2018. Under her organization, the 29th annual meeting of the International Association of Cancer Registries (IACR) took place in Ljubljana in 2007.
Until her retirement, she founded and managed the national screening program for the detection of cervical precancer and cancer (ZORA); she was also involved in the establishment of the national screening program for breast cancer (DORA) and the national cancer control programme.
She was a member of numerous international expert and research groups, as well as a prolific author of articles published both in Slovenia and internationally. From 2010-2019, she was President of the Association of Slovenian Cancer Societies and from, 2011-2013, the President of the European Cancer League (ECL).
IACR sends its sincere sympathies to Dr Zakelj's family and colleagues.
