Intra-abdominal soft tissue tumors. What needs to be known to reach the diagnosis with the help of immunohistochemistry, FISH and molecular biology

Connective tissue tumors located inside the abdomen are a rare heterogeneous group of tumors, except for gastro-intestinal stromal tumors. They may be benign, malignant, or intermediate in terms of biologic potential. Pathologists have to remember the list of all the lesions possibly involved, with their immunohistochemical characteristics, and to know which molecular analyses are needed, with which expected results, and by which team they can be performed. The main tumor types are discussed with diagnostic tools and treatment consequences. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.