An update on immunohistochemical and molecular genetic markers of selected soft tissue tumors.

Recent years have brought an immense increase of knowledge regarding the molecular genetic background of mesenchymal tumors which in turn has significantly expanded the repertoire of molecular markers available for the routine diagnostic practice. This progress has also been followed by a rising number of available immunohistochemical markers useful for the diagnosis of soft tissue neoplasia. Both lineage specific and tumor-specific immunohistochemical antibodies have been discovered and subsequently tested in the surgical pathology practice. This article will review some of the immunohistochemical and molecular genetic markers useful in the diagnosis of vascular tumors, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, low-grade fibromyxoid sarcomas/sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcomas, solitary fibrous tumors, epithelioid sarcomas, rhabdomyosarcomas and other lesions showing skeletal muscle differentiation. The immunohistochemical and molecular genetic features of some recently characterized and clinically particularly important entities will be discussed as well.