[Tissue microarray technology--a new and powerful tool for the molecular profiling of tumors]

Tissue Microarrays (TMA) are the products of a new technology that offers rapid and simultaneous analysis of up to 1000 different archival samples. Sections from TMA blocks can be used for all different types of in situ tissue analysis including immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. The technology helps to implement the vast knowledge that was discovered by the human genome project and facilitates the molecular understanding of various benign and malignant processes. In this article we describe the process of TMA construction and review the main studies that applied the technology to characterizing tumors and precancerous lesions.