[Molecular biology diagnosis of sarcoma]

Sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of malignant tumours, primarily in connective and supportive tissues, that can be difficult to distinguish from other tumour types. Recent knowledge of gene rearrangements resulting from specific translocations in several groups of sarcomas now enables the molecular diagnosis of these subtypes. Increasing knowledge of molecular defects that may be of importance to therapy response and prognosis may in the future become important tools in the clinic, although these tumours are relatively rare, making it difficult to investigate large numbers of comparable groups of patients.