Sequencing Cancer Genome shapes new ways in surgical oncology

Progress in medical and surgical oncology has been slow. Overall survival and cure rates of patients with solid cancer have modestly been improved over the last decade despite the advent of targeted therapy. The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology allows now whole genome and exome sequencing for the identification of unbiased data about mutations underlying cancer. In addition, new high-throughput techniques provide insights and the role of epigenetic modification, miRNAs deregulation and transcriptome changes that drive tumorigenesis and metastasis. These advances in understanding the structure and function of cancer genome are discussed here along with challenges to reach clinical implications in the multimodal and interdisciplinary treatment of cancer patients.