title: Overview of genetic diagnosis in cancer.
abstract: Both cytogenetic and molecular genetic studies can contribute to the management of patients with cancer. In some cases genetic markers are specific to particular tumor types and are useful in diagnosis. This can be helpful in distinguishing histologically similar tumors that may respond differently to treatment and can sometimes be of prognostic value. Genetic markers can also be tools for following the response of a tumor to therapy, providing a sensitive means of detection of relapse. This introductory unit considers some of the types of genetic changes that occur in association with malignancies and major approaches used in their detection.
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Korf
authors.forename: Fady
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: M Mikhail
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D005819:Genetic Markers