The role of ras and myc oncogenes in human solid tumours and their relevance in diagnosis and prognosis (review).

Advances in the field of oncogenes have produced a tool to investigate the different stages in multistep carcinogenesis. The role of the ras and myc gene families have been extensively investigated in the progression of carcinogenesis in a range of human solid tumours. This review critically analyses the data available on the role of these oncogenes in the six most common cancers worldwide, (i.e. cancer of the stomach, lung, breast, colon, cervix, and mouth and pharynx). In certain cases the incidence of aberrant gene expression and genetic alterations of the ras and myc gene families have been shown to be important in the progression of these cancers and may be of use as prognostic indicators.