Genetic cancer syndromes and large-scale gene expression analysis: applications in surgical oncology

The last decade of the 20th century was characterized by an explosion in genetic discoveries. The Human Genome Project and technical advances have made it possible to unravel many genetic abnormalities underlying cancer. Many genes responsible for inherited cancer syndromes have been identified and diagnostic tests are readily available. The clinical implications of these tests are currently under debate. Large-scale gene expression analysis enables simultaneous monitoring of expression of thousands of genes, in vitro and in vivo. The identification of high risk patients and drug responsiveness, can be studied within the framework of complex molecular networks. This article will focus on the possibilities for surgical oncology.