Cytogenetics and the surgeon: an invaluable tool in diagnosis, prognosis and counselling of patients with solid tumours

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Abstract
Background: Cytogenetic studies have become an important part of tumour characterization. In a minority of tumours cytogenetic and/or molecular studies may be of help for diagnosis, selection of treatment protocols and predicting outcome. Methods: This article reviews the literature on solid tumour translocations and established family cancer syndromes. In addition, the potential importance of genetics in management of patients with breast, ovarian and pancreatic carcinoma is reviewed. Results and conclusion: Cytogenetic analysis of tumours may help confirm the diagnosis when conventional histology demonstrates no evidence of differentiation along a particular tissue pathway. For patients with well defined cancer syndromes, cytogenetic and molecular analysis offers the prospect of screening to reduce the risk of malignant disease. For many malignancies the underlying genetic anomalies are gradually being elucidated. Further studies designed to demonstrate the significance of these findings can only be undertaken if tumour material is collected and stored in optimal conditions for cytogenetic and/or molecular biological studies.