Cytogenetics and experimental models of sarcomas.

The sarcomas are an extremely heterogeneous group of neoplasms that continue to present substantial diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. It is notable, therefore, that great strides have been made in the genetic characterization of sarcomas over the past few years. The very consistent chromosome translocations in Ewing's sarcoma, myxoid liposarcoma, and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma have been cloned, and the oncogenes deregulated by these translocations have been identified. These characteristic genetic aberrations can now be used as diagnostic markers.