Book excerpt: This is the 5th volume in a WHO series on histological and genetic typing of human tumours. This edition focuses on cancers of the breast and female genital organs, and describes diagnostic criteria, pathological features, associated genetic alterations and gene expression patterns in a disease-oriented manner. Sections on all recognised neoplasms and their variants include new ICD-O codes, incidence, age and sex distribution, location, clinical signs and symptoms, pathology, genetics and predictive factors. It contains colour photographs, X-rays, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images, charts and over 3,200 references. The classifications presented reflect the views of WHO working group conferences held in France in January and March 2002, and the volume was produced in collaboration with the International Academy of Pathology.