Novel recurrent structural chromosomal aberrations in primary bladder cancer.

Background: Bladder cancer is a heterogeneous genetic disease and, to date, no specific cytogenetic abnormality has been established. The detection of recurrent genetic changes with common breakpoints is of special interest, facilitating the identification of genes implicated in carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate recurrent structural chromosomal aberrations with common breakpoints and to correlate them with the histological stage of tumors.

Materials And Methods: Fifteen patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were cytogenetically studied by direct culture of primary tumor cells and G-banding technique.

Results: Most of the cases studied exhibited very complex karyotypes. Recurrent structural aberrations were observed involving, according to frequency, chromosomal regions 11p15, 3p12, 14q32, 19q13 and 6q23. Isochromosomes i(8q), i(17q) and i(6p) were also observed.

Conclusion: Conventional cytogenetics continues to be valuable in cancer study, detecting common chromosomal breakpoints. Of interest was the detection of novel recurrent structural chromosomal aberrations including involvement of 11p15, 14q32 and 19q13, while a correlation of recurrent abnormalities observed with tumor stage was also evaluated.