The molecular biology of urological tumors

Abstract

This article reviews the present understanding of chromosomal aberrations and specific genetic mutations in renal, bladder, and prostate cancers. In kidney tumors, specific emphasis is given to chromosome 3 deletions in renal cell carcinoma and the characterization of the WT1 gene in Wilms' tumor. In all three urological tumors, the presence of mutations in the RAS, P53, and RB genes (all of which often occur in other tumors) is analyzed. The expression and properties of the androgen receptor in prostate cancer are also summarized.