Recent advances in tumor cytogenetics and molecular biology have clarified that renal-cell carcinoma is not a single entity but comprises a variety of tumors with different histological features, genetic patterns and varying clinical course. Since many cancer molecular markers have been described, this information could help to discriminate aggressive tumors from indolent lesions. The authors describe the benefits of predictive nomograms for improving risk assessment, and discuss the prospects for individual customized follow-up protocols based on tumor molecular characteristics.
- Olivier Rouvière
- Raymonde Bouvier
- Denis Lyonnet
