[Detection of chromosomal aberration using fluorescence in situ hybridization on breast cancer]

The relationship between interphase cytogenetics and prognostic factors, especially the grade of nuclear atypism, nuclear DNA content, histological lymph node metastasis and clinical data was examined in 48 primary breast cancer specimens (touch preparation). Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a chromosome-specific DNA probe, the copy number of pericentrometric sequences on chromosome 17 was examined within the interphase nuclei in touch preparations from the tumor. The copy number of chromosome 17 was correlated with the increase in the grade of nuclear atypism, tumor size, histological lymph node metastasis and nuclear DNA content. In the diploid type of nuclear DNA content, the copy number of chromosome 17 was correlated with the increase in the grade of nuclear atypism and histological lymph node metastasis. In conclusion, the numerical chromosomal aberrations detected by FISH were found in the DNA diploid cases by FCM. The detection of numerical chromosomal aberrations by FISH provide important information about the prognostic factors.