title: Pseudodicentric (16;12)(q11;p11.2) in a type AB (mixed) thymoma.
abstract: Genetic alterations of thymomas are rarely described in the literature. In this study, a previously unreported instance of aberrant karyotypic change consisting of 45,XX,pseu dic(16;12) (q11;p11.2) [cp23]/87-90,idemx2[cp4] in a Masaoka Stage II mixed thymoma or type AB thymoma affecting a 56-year-old Chinese woman is detailed. Abnormalities involving 12p containing important tumor suppressor-like genes have been documented especially in hematological malignancies. Recently, recurrent losses involving 16q, a locus known to harbor several tumor suppressor genes, have been described in type C thymomas (squamous cell carcinoma), suggesting a possible relationship between type AB thymoma and type C thymoma. Whether these genes are involved in the pathogenesis of type AB thymoma remain to be clarified and it is currently unclear if cytogenetic studies may eventually play a role in the classification of thymic tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, 169608, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sivaswaren
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Chuah
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002871:Chromosome Banding; D002881:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12 / Q000235:genetics*; D002885:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 16 / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007621:Karyotyping; D008875:Middle Aged; D013945:Thymoma / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure