Chromosome analysis of primary large bowel tumors: a new method for improving the yield of analyzable metaphases

Colon tumors were processed immediately after surgical resection. Using L-Arterenol and sodium citrate in combination with standard chromosome culture techniques, 12 of 17 consecutive tumors (75%) had countable figures ranging from 5 cells to 59 cells. Seven of the 12 cases had over 25 countable cells. Chromosome counts did not vary more than +/- 4 for any one case. Seven tumors were karyotyped, 6 with banding techniques. One of these specimens had mosaic patterns. The chromosome counts varied: 2 were hypodiploid; 1 was pseudodiploid and 4 were hyperdyploid. There were some similarities in the karotypes although no identical karyotypes were seen in this series.