Unbalanced chromosomal aberrations in neuroendocrine lung tumors as detected by comparative genomic hybridization

Typical and atypical carcinoids (TC, ATC) and small (SCLC) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNEC) constitute the spectrum of neuroendocrine lung tumors. Chromosomal aberrations have not been studied in LCNEC and only rarely in carcinoids. Only SCLCs have been investigated frequently for chromosomal aberrations. We compared three typical and four atypical carcinoids, one atypical carcinoid/SCLC mixed type, three SCLC, and three LCNEC for chromosomal gains and losses using comparative genomic hybridization. Typical carcinoids showed either no changes or only few chromosomal gains. Atypical carcinoids appeared genetically heterogeneous: One case had no aberrations, and three cases had few aberrations; two of them showed a deletion of 11q. SCLC and LCNEC were characterized by many gains and losses, especially similar changes of 3p, 5q, 5p, and 13q. Although ATC resemble LCNEC morphologically, there were no similarities at the genetic level. We have found a reciprocal relationship of prognosis and the amount of aberrations. TCs and ATCs with few chromosomal changes have the best prognosis, whereas SCLCs and LCNECs were generally characterized by a great amount of aberrations and worst prognosis. There was no unbalanced aberration common in all types of neuroendocrine tumors of the lung.