Classification and Subtype Prediction of Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma by Functional Genomics

Abstract

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) define a group of histologically and genetically diverse cancers that account for approximately 1% of all adult malignancies with an annual incidence in the United States of approximately 8000 cases.¹ x 1 Jemal, A, Thomas, A, Murray, T, and Thun, M. Cancer statistics, 2002. CA Cancer J Clin. 2002; 52: 23–47 Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (2778) | Google Scholar See all References There are over 50 subtypes of this disease, which are currently diagnosed by genetic and morphological criteria.² x 2 Brennan, M, Alektiar, K, and Maki, R. Sarcomas of soft tissue and bone: soft tissue sarcoma. in: Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia; 2001: 1841–1891 Google Scholar See all References ^{, 3} x 3 in: S Weiss, J Goldblum (Eds.) Enzinger and Weiss's Soft Tissue Tumors. Mosby, St. Louis; 2001: 1–19 Google Scholar See all References Those most frequently seen include liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), fibrosarcoma, and synovial sarcoma.⁴ x 4 Brennan M, Lewis J: Dunitz M eds. Diagnosis and Management of Soft Tissue Sarcoma. 2002 Google Scholar See all References The molecular classification of STS includes two major categories on the basis of 1) a single recurrent genetic alteration, such as chromosomal translocations (synovial sarcoma, myxoid/round-cell liposarcoma, clear-cell sarcoma) or activating mutation (KIT), or 2) non-recurrent genetic aberrations, which form part of a complex abnormal karyotype.⁵ x 5 Mertens, F, Fletcher, CD, Dal Cin, P, De Wever, I, Mandahl, N, Mitelman, F, Rosai, J, Rydholm, A, Sciot, R, Tallini, G, Van den Berghe, H, Vanni, R, and Willen, H. Cytogenetic analysis of 46 pleomorphic soft tissue sarcomas and correlation with morphologic and clinical features: a report of the CHAMP study group: chromosomes and morphology. Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 1998; 22: 16–25 Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (129) | Google Scholar See all References