Elevated levels of IGF-2 are characteristic for tumours originating from tissues expressing high levels of IGF-2-RNA during foetal life such as nephroblastoma (Wilm's tumour) (Reik and Maher, 1997), rhabdomyosarcoma (Ross et al, 2000), and HCC (Fiorentino et al, 1994) as well as in overgrowth disorders such as Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (Smilinich et al, 1999). This evidence concerns the gene IGF2 and rhabdomyosarcoma.