Retrieval yield of total and messenger RNA in mesenchymal tissue ex vivo

Mesenchymal neoplasms are a heterogeneous group of tumors comprising more than 200 benign entities and approximately 100 sarcomas. Large intraobserver and interobserver variability mandates improvements in diagnostic criteria. Gene expression microarrays are one tool in an evolving field of technology that permits the screening of tissue for massive amounts of information regarding its genetic composition. Such information may aid clinicians to diagnose and treat sarcomas. Complementary deoxyribonucleic acid microarrays, although very promising, are limited by the fact that messenger ribonucleic, the genetic messenger that permits deoxyribonucleic acid to encode for proteins and is the element retrieved from tumor samples ex vivo, is highly unstable, degrading quite readily. We found that even with optimal retrieval times and processing, total ribonucleic acid extraction from tumor tissue ex vivo is retrieved in adequate amounts to avoid amplification in 23% to 55% (mean 36%) of specimens. The percentage of high-grade tumors that yielded sufficient total ribonucleic acid was significantly higher than low grade and benign tumors. When adequate retrieval is achieved, the quantity and quality of messenger ribonucleic acid is robust. Surgeons, pathologists, and clinical intermediaries must be aware of issues surrounding messenger ribonucleic acid retrieval from surgical specimens to optimize collection.