Present and potential future applications of new diagnostic strategies basedon the direct or indirect detection of cancer genes are delineated in this volume. Among the methodological aspects covered are enzymatic target amplification by the polymerase chain reaction and related techniques, DNA fingerprinting, transfer of putative cancer genes in appropriate receipient cells, and recent developments inthe application of monoclonal antibodies in immunohistochemistry and immunoscintigraphy. The diagnostic and functional implications of mutations in cancer genes such as ras and p53 are described. The characterization of cancer genes and their products is correlated with growth control anddissemination of tumour cells by in vitro or clinical evidence. The contributions in the present volume uptdate the information available on established or newly described cancer genes, and may help manage the transition from basic research to clinical practice.