Translocation-Related Sarcomas

Sarcomas with chromosomal translocations represent only about one fourth of sarcoma diagnoses. However, like gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), with its characteristic KIT or PDGFRA mutations, they are particularly interesting since they provide specific biological insights and mechanisms of action that may have an impact upon prognosis or therapy. These are mechanisms we are just beginning to exploit. In this section we will review the biology and clinical impact of translocation-associated sarcomas and review the clinical findings that have made a recent impact upon patients with these diverse diagnoses.