Technologies

This invention relates to improved diagnostic methods for identifying tumors, especially intraoperative detection of lymphatic micrometastases. Methods for identifying expression of markers indicative of the presence of esophageal, a squamous cell cancer, a squamous cell cancer of the head and neck, colon cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, and lung cancer are provided. Also provided are articles of manufacture useful in such methods and compositions containing primers and probes useful in such methods.