Cytogenetic findings in primary non-small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) shows a complex cytogenetic heterogeneity and up to now no particular chromosomal aberration seems to characterize its malignant evolution. We therefore performed cytogenetic analyses of 20 primary NSCLC, 8 adenocarcinomas and 12 squamous cell carcinomas on direct preparations or short-term cultures. Only 1 case was analyzed after long-term culture. Results were obtained from 11 samples and clonal rearrangements were found in 3 cases, a diploid and a near-triploid clone with several aberrations such as i (9q), rob (14; 15) and rob (21; 21) in 1 case, a near-triploid clone in 1 case, and Y chromosome loss in 1 case. Other aberrations found were sporadic, but +7 aneuploidy and translocations involving 1p were detected in 2 and 3 samples respectively. Although to date it has been very difficult to recognize primary changes in NSCLC, nevertheless a literature review and our results indicate that i(9q) and robertsonian translocations are relevant findings.