The cytogenetics of Wilms' tumor

A close association has been demonstrated between the congenital deletion 11p13 and predisposition to Wilms' tumor. Recent cytogenetic studies on Wilms' tumor cells from normal children strongly suggests that somatic changes in the short arm of chromosome #11 play an important role in the development of this tumor. The application of improved cytogenetic techniques coupled with molecular biologic analysis may help resolve questions regarding the requirement of additional changes (to alterations of 11p13) in order to evoke complete transformation leading to malignancy.