Molecular genetics of familial renal cell carcinoma syndromes

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents a group of clinically and genetically diverse diseases. Familial RCC syndromes, although rare, provide an invaluable model to study the molecular mechanisms of renal carcinogenesis. Many oncogenes, and tumor suppressor genes have been identified as responsible for several forms of familial RCC syndromes. Understanding of the molecular pathways of these genes will have significant impact on the diagnosis and treatment of familial and sporadic RCCs.