[Paradigm shift in surgical pathology of cancer: molecular diagnostics, prognosticators and predictive pathology]

Magy Onkol. 2007;51(2):103-12. Epub 2007 Jul 29.
[Article in Hungarian]

Abstract

Classical methodology of surgical pathology extended first with ultrastructural methods, then with immunohistochemistry and more recently with molecular/ genomic techniques. These changes added new dimensions to the classical tissue-and cellular levels of diagnostics: the molecular level. This change is the primary motor of the development of the diagnostic as well as the prognostic and predictive pathology. It is now possible to identify an etiological factor (HPV) or reclassify an entire entity (soft tissue tumors). Prognosis of cancer relies more and more on molecular/genetic parameters such as microsatellite instability, gene amplifications etc. Targeted therapy of cancer develops parallel with the molecular predictive pathology such as the anti-HER2 or anti-EGFR therapies. In conclusion, it is fair to say that molecular pathology contributes significantly to the development of clinical oncology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Biomarkers, Tumor* / genetics
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • ErbB Receptors / drug effects
  • Gene Amplification
  • Genes, erbB-2 / drug effects
  • Genetic Markers*
  • Humans
  • Microsatellite Instability
  • Molecular Biology / trends*
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques* / methods
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Neoplasms / surgery
  • Papillomaviridae / genetics
  • Papillomavirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Pathology, Surgical / trends*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / genetics
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tumor Virus Infections / diagnosis

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Genetic Markers
  • ErbB Receptors