Chromosome studies in eleven colorectal tumors

Cytogenetic analysis is presented on seven freshly derived colorectal tumors and four established cell lines (SW 742, SW 480, SW 948, and HT 29). No chromosome change was common to all tumors, although previous nonrandom findings were confirmed. Single chromosome abnormalities were identified in two cases, 47,XX,+i(7p) and 46,XX,-17,+der(17),t(17;?)(p;?), and their relevance to tumor origin and development is discussed. The association of i(8q) with tumors of the rectosigmoidal region is confirmed, and it is suggested that other rearrangements involving loss of 8p may have the same association. Abnormalities resulting in loss of 20p and duplication of 20q, not previously reported as a nonrandom change, were seen in seven out of 11 cases.