Molecular cytogenetics of human cancer.

ABSTRACT

Cancer may arise from the genetic transformation of a single precursor cell, which proliferates to form a clone. Chromosomal abnormalities are associated with many types of tumours. Some of the chromosomal rearrangements such as translocation, deletion and insertion involve breakage of chromosomes close to known oncogenes. The close linkage between the chromosomal changes, the gene modifications and consequently altered protein function seen in malignant cells suggest that cancer is a genetic disease. Analysis of chromosomal abnormalities and oncogene amplifications in malignant cells have been found to be related to their malignant potential and hence may be utilized in the clinical management of patients with cancer.