Abstract
Medical practice based on information gleaned from molecular diagnostic testing is increasingly becoming the standard of care. Molecular information not only aids in diagnosis, but in prognostication and as a guide to targeted therapy. This chapter reviews current knowledge of relevant mutations in solid tumors in an organ-based approach. In addition, some technical aspects of molecular diagnostic testing are included, with emphasis on the advantages and disadvantages of different methods. Finally, the use of targeted therapies based on molecular findings is discussed where applicable.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
SUGGESTED READING
Allegra CJ, Jessup JM, Somerfield MR, et al. American Society of Clinical Oncology provisional clinical opinion: testing for KRAS gene mutations in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma to predict response to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody therapy. J Clin Oncol 2009;27:2091–2096.
Andreoiu M, Cheng L. Multifocal prostate cancer: biological, prognostic, and therapeutic implications. Hum Pathol 2010;41:781–793.
Arsanious A, Bjarnson GA, Yousef GM. From bench to bedside: current and future applications of molecular profiling in renal cell carcinoma. Mol Cancer 2009;8:20–31.
Bardelli A, Siena S. Molecular mechanisms of resistance to cetuximab and panitumumab in colorectal cancer. J Clin Oncol 2010;28:1254–1261.
Borczuk AC, Toonkel RL, Powell CA. Genomics of lung cancer. Proc Am Thorac Soc 2009;6:152–158.
Bosch A, Eroles P, Zaragoza R, et al. Triple-negative breast cancer: molecular features, pathogenesis, treatment and current lines of research. Cancer Treat Rev 2010;36:206–215.
Bromberg JE, van den Bent MJ. Oligodendrogliomas: molecular biology and treatment. Oncologist 2009;14:155–163.
Castel V, Grau E, Noguera R, Martinez F. Molecular biology of neuroblastoma. Clin Transl Oncol 2007;9:478–483.
Cheng L, Davidson DD, MacLennan GT, et al. The origins of urothelial carcinoma. Exp Rev Anticancer Ther 2010;10:865–880.
Cheng L, Williamson SR, Zhang S, et al. Understanding the molecular genetics of renal cell neoplasia: implications for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. Exp Rev Anticancer Ther 2010;10:843–864.
Cheng L, Zhang D. Molecular Genetic Pathology. New York, New York: Humana Press/Springer; 2008.
Cheng L, Zhang S, Davidson DD, et al. Molecular determinants of tumor recurrence in the urinary bladder. Future Oncol 2009;5:843–857.
Cheng L, Zhang S, MacLennan GT, et al. Molecular and cytogenetic insights into the pathogenesis, classification, differential diagnosis, and prognosis of renal epithelial neoplasms. Hum Pathol 2009;40:10–29.
Gazdar AF. Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition in lung cancer: the evolving role of individualized therapy. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2010;29:37–48.
Gold KA, Kim ES. Role of molecular markers and gene profiling in head and neck cancers. Curr Opin Oncol 2009;21:206–211.
Gulley ML, Kaiser-Rogers KA. A rational approach to genetic testing for sarcoma. Diagn Mol Path 2009;18:1–10.
Hunt JL. Molecular testing in solid tumors: an overview. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2008;132:164–167.
Hunt JL. Molecular alterations in hereditary and sporadic thyroid and parathyroid diseases. Adv Anat Pathol 2009;16:23–32.
Kumar-Sinha C, Tomlins SA, Chinnaiyan, AM. Recurrent gene fusions in prostate cancer. Nature Reviews/Cancer 2008;8:497–511.
Lazar AJ, Trent JC, Lev D. Sarcoma molecular testing: diagnosis and prognosis. Curr Oncol Rep 2007;9:309–315.
Monzon FA, Koen TJ. Diagnosis of metastatic neoplasms: molecular approaches for identification of tissue of origin. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2010;134:216–224.
Plesac TP, Hunt JL. KRAS mutation testing in colorectal cancer. Adv Anat Pathol 2009;16:196–203.
Ranganathan P, Harsha HC, Pandey A. Molecular alterations in exocrine neoplasms of the pancreas. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2009;133:405–412.
Ross JS. Multigene classifiers, prognostic factors, and predictors of breast cancer clinical outcome. Adv Anat Pathol 2009;16:204–215.
Shankaran V, Obel J, Benson AB. Predicting response to EGFR inhibitors in metastatic colorectal cancer: current practice and future directions. The Oncologist 2010;15:157–167.
Singh M, Lin J, Hocker, TL, Tsao, H. Genetics of melanoma tumorigenesis. Br J Dermatol 2008;158:15–21.
Vrooman OP, Witjes JA. Molecular markers for detection, surveillance, and prognostication of bladder cancer. Int J Urol 2009;16:234–243.
Wang HL, Lopategui J, Amin MB, et al. KRAS mutation testing in human cancers: the pathologist’s role in the era of personalized medicine. Adv Anat Pathol 2010;17:23–32.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Moore, F.R., Press, R.D. (2011). Molecular Pathology of Solid Tumors. In: Cheng, L., Bostwick, D. (eds) Essentials of Anatomic Pathology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6043-6_12
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6043-6_12
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-6042-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-6043-6
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)