Genetics in renal cell carcinoma

Purpose of review The combination of several recent molecular technologies, including comparative genomic hybridization, fluorescence in-situ hybridization and complementary DNA and tissue microarrays, has advanced our understanding of renal cancer. However, a great deal of information regarding the genetics of renal neoplasms has also emerged from the extensive cytogenetic investigations in the past decade. Recent findings The correlation between cytogenetic or molecular genetic abnormalities and histomorphology is most consistent in clear cell and papillary types of renal cell carcinoma. However, gene expression profile studies have brought new insights into the classification of renal tumors, and may provide new markers that identify patients with a poor prognosis as well as identifying potential therapeutic targets. Summary The integration of expression profile data and clinical parameters could serve to enhance the diagnosis and prognosis of renal cell carcinoma. The identification and evaluation of new molecular parameters will be necessities in cancer research and cancer treatment.