Terms of Service

By using Blue Book Search, you agree to these terms of service. Please read them carefully.

Related Documents

These Terms of Service work together with other legal documents:

  • Privacy Policy: Details how Blue Book Search collects, uses, and protects personal information
  • Legal Notice: Contains regulatory compliance information and liability disclaimers

By using this service, users agree to all applicable terms in these documents.

Service Description

Blue Book Search is a private, non-commercial interface for the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumours ("Blue Books"), which is published by the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). This service provides two main features: (1) a search tool that helps users find specific tumor entities, and (2) a hierarchical browser that allows users to navigate the complete classification structure. Both features direct users to the corresponding chapters in the official WHO Classification of Tumours online platform.

Important Service Limitations:

  • This service does not host, distribute, or provide access to the WHO/IARC content itself
  • Users need their own valid subscription to the WHO Classification of Tumours online platform to access the actual medical content
  • This service is operated independently and is not affiliated with or endorsed by WHO/IARC
  • The service is provided on a strictly non-commercial basis without any fees or paid advertising

The service is provided for educational and research purposes only and is operated by a medical professional as a free educational tool.

User Eligibility

Age Requirements

You must be at least 16 years old to create an account and use this service. By creating an account, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement.

Capacity and Authority

  • You must have the legal capacity to enter into these terms
  • If using the service in a professional capacity, you must have authority to bind your organization to these terms
  • You must not be prohibited from using the service under any applicable laws

Geographic Restrictions

This service is available globally, but you must comply with all applicable local, national, and international laws and regulations when using the service.

Professional Use Requirements

If you are a healthcare professional using this service in a professional capacity, you acknowledge and agree to the following additional requirements:

  • You bear full professional responsibility for all diagnostic and therapeutic decisions
  • This service is for reference purposes only and does not replace clinical judgment
  • You must verify all information through official sources and current medical literature
  • You must not rely on this service for emergency or time-sensitive medical decisions
  • You must comply with all applicable professional standards and regulations in your jurisdiction

Important: This service does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Healthcare professionals must exercise independent clinical judgment and verify all information independently.

User Accounts

Account Creation

  • Users must provide accurate information for required fields (email address) when creating an account
  • Optional profile information (first name, last name, organization) may be provided but can be skipped or deleted at any time
  • Users are responsible for maintaining the security of their account credentials
  • Users must notify Blue Book Search immediately of any unauthorized use of their account

Account Usage

  • One account per person
  • Accounts are for personal use only
  • You may delete your account at any time through your account settings

Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

  • Use the service for any unlawful purposes
  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
  • Interfere with or disrupt the service or servers
  • Use automated tools to access the service (bots, scrapers, etc.)
  • Share your account credentials with others
  • Use the service to provide medical advice or diagnosis

Medical Disclaimer

Important: This service provides medical reference information for educational purposes only. The information provided is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified healthcare professionals for any medical questions or conditions.

Service Availability

Blue Book Search strives to maintain high availability but cannot guarantee uninterrupted service. The service may be temporarily unavailable due to maintenance, updates, or technical issues. Blue Book Search reserves the right to modify or discontinue the service at any time. Blue Book Search reserves the right to modify features, add usage limits, or change service functionality with reasonable notice to users.

Third-Party Services

This service integrates with and relies on several third-party services. By using Blue Book Search, you acknowledge and agree to the use of these services:

Authentication Services

  • Google OAuth: Optional authentication method that allows you to sign in using your Google account. When used, you are subject to Google's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
  • Email/Password: Traditional account creation managed through our secure authentication system

External Content Access

  • WHO Classification of Tumours Platform: This service directs you to WHO/IARC's official platform. You must comply with IARC's Terms of Use when accessing their content
  • IARC Terms of Use: Available at https://publications.iarc.who.int/Terms-Of-Use

Technical Infrastructure

The service uses various technical infrastructure providers for hosting, security, and performance. These services process technical data as necessary to provide the service to you. Details about data processing are available in our Privacy Policy.

No Control Over Third-Party Services: Blue Book Search does not control these third-party services and is not responsible for their availability, content, or practices. Your use of these services is subject to their respective terms and policies.

Intellectual Property

The WHO Classification of Tumours content and data are the intellectual property of the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Blue Book Search provides search functionality for tumor entity names and chapter titles only, which are publicly available information commonly referenced in medical literature. This service does not provide access to the detailed chapter contents, which require a valid WHO/IARC subscription. The website design, code, and search functionality are the intellectual property of Blue Book Search.

Limitation of Liability

This service is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. Blue Book Search shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of the service. This limitation applies to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Account Termination

Blue Book Search reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms. You may terminate your account at any time by deleting it through your account settings.

Changes to Terms

These terms may be updated from time to time. Continued use of the service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms. Users will be notified of significant changes via email or service notifications.

Governing Law

These terms are governed by German law. Any disputes will be resolved in German courts.

Contact

For questions about these terms, please contact: [email protected]

Last updated: October 20, 2025