Molecular pathology of bone and soft tissue neoplasms and potential targets for novel therapy

Bone and soft tissue tumors encompass a rare but a heterogenous group of mesenchymal neoplasms ranging from benign to malignant. Frequently, the diagnosis of many bone and soft tissue tumors prove to be difficult due to the enormous variety of histologic subtypes, with some of them (especially the tumors of spindle cell morphology) presenting with similar clinical, microscopic, immunohistochemical, and/or radiographic characteristics. With continuous and more advanced understanding of the cytogenetic and molecular genetics of bone and soft tissue tumors, it is hopeful that, eventually, classifying bone and soft tissue tumor types can be based on molecular pathology rather than by traditional histogenesis. More importantly, the forecast for the prognosis or prediction to therapy can also be benefited from molecular pathology. Chapter 13 will review the most current molecular testing of bone and soft tissue tumors and the biomarkers that have the potential for targeted therapy with focus on the recent developments from the past 5 years.