Diagnostic and molecular implications of specific chromosomal translocations in mesenchymal tumors

In many tumors of mesenchymal origin specific chromosomal translocations ar e a consistent finding not restricted to malignant tumors. Often the genes behind those translocations have been identified. Rarely, gene activating p er se is sufficient to contribute to or cause tumorigenesis whereas in most cases the two genes of the translocation partners both contribute to the f ormation of a newly arisen fusion gene, thus enabling the detection of resu lting chimeric transcripts by highly sensitive techniques. Genes participat ing in translocations may be affected in more than one tumor entity, such a s e.g. HMGIC in a variety of benign mesenchymal tumors and EWS in a couple of malignant mesenchymal tumors. Certainly, the identification and molecula r characterization of specific chromosomal translocations will not only all ow for important insights highlighting the process of tumorigenesis but off er also promising new tools to obtain more refined data of diagnostic as we ll as of prognostic importance.