The aim of this review was to describe expression of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) and of its ligands in a panel of tumours (which are not specified elsewhere in this special issue of Bulletin du Cancer): squamous cell carcinomas, adenocarcinomas, sarcomas, brain and germ line tumours. The role of EGFR and its ligands in the carcinogenesis and the progression of these tumours, as well as the relevance of targeting EGFR.