Sarcoma epidemiology and etiology: potential environmental and genetic factors.
Sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of tumors that may have many etiologies. The incidence of histologic subtypes differs significantly between children and adults. The increase in incidence may be due to improved registry systems, diagnostic tools, and pathologic definitions. Environmental causes may contribute to increased incidence. Genetic alternations may play a role in sarcoma development. As a result of rapidly evolving genomic and proteomic technologies, increased knowledge of the oncogenic mechanisms underlying sarcomagenesis is being generated. Understanding the mechanisms involved in sarcomagenesis is rudimentary. Insight into the molecular basis of sarcoma inception, proliferation, and dissemination hopefully will lead to more effective therapies.
Department of Surgical Oncology, Sarcoma Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Guy
G
Lahat
Alexander
A
Lazar
Dina
D
Lev
D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000235:genetics; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007890:Leiomyosarcoma / Q000821:virology; D016864:Li-Fraumeni Syndrome / Q000235:genetics; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000235:genetics; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000235:genetics; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology
D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion