(57) The invention provides diagnostic and prognostic methods which comprise determining the level of expression of the tumor suppressor gene pRb2/p130, because the relative level of pRb2/p130 expression correlates with the presence of cancer, tumor grade and patient prognosis. These methods may be used to detect cancer, to make treatment decisions, to predict patient outcome, and to predict the risk of cancer in disease-free individuals. The invention further provides methods for the detection of mutations and polymorphisms in the pRb2/p130 gene, which may be used to characterize genetic events associated with tumor formation, to trace the parental origin of mutations, to identify carriers of germline mutations and to identify individuals with a predisposition to cancer.