Cytogenetics of non-small cell lung cancer: simple technique for obtaining high quality chromosomes by fine needle aspirate cultures

Cytogenetic analysis of six non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) was carried out on overnight cultures of tumor material obtained from transthoracic fine needle aspirates to determine karyotype changes involved in the early stages of the disease. Multiple chromosome alterations were characterized. Numerical abnormalities included additional copies of chromosomes 3, 7, 8, 16, 17, and loss of chromosomes 1, 2, 6, 9, 12, 20, 21, and 22. Structural alterations included deletion or derivative chromosome 3 (band p14 or p21) in 5 patients. Clustering of other break points including 16q21, 17p13, 11p15, 15p12, 8p23, 4q27, 9p21, 12p13, 14p12, and i(Xq) was observed in the descending order of their involvement. These clonal abnormalities may be indicative of critical molecular events in the etiology of NSCLC.