Athens Medical School, 2nd Department of Urology, Sismanoglio Hospital, Athens, Greece. andskol@yahoo.com
Recent developments in genetics and molecular biology have led to an increased understanding of the pathobiology of renal cancer. Thorough knowledge of the molecular pathways associated with renal cancer is a prerequisite for novel potential therapeutic interventions. Studies are ongoing to evaluate novel anticancer agents that target specific molecular entities. This article reviews current knowledge on the genetics and molecular pathogenesis of sporadic and inherited forms of renal cancer. Copyright 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.