[Numerical alteration of chromosome 8 in pleural effusions].
OBJECTIVE
To study the numerical alteration of chromosome 8 and its application for detecting cancer cells in the pleural effusions.


METHODS
In situ hybridization with chromosome 8 centromere probe was carried out in 52 patients with pleural effusions.


RESULTS
In 31 lung cancer patients examined, hyperdiploid chromosome 8 was found in the effusions. The same hyperdiploid of the chromosome was also noted in 4 cases of effusion from adenocarcinoma of breast, mesothelioma and lymphoma. In 15 pleural effusions which were reportedly negative in previous cytological diagnosis, hyperdiploid chromosome 8 was found in 3 cases, and diploid chromosome 8 in another 12 cases by in situ hybridization. After reexemination of the samples from the 3 patients with hyperdiploid chromosome 8, adenocarcinoma cells were found in 2 cases, and the third one was a patient being treated with radiotherapy. Hyperdiploid chromosome 8 also existed in the pleural effusions from 2 cases suspicious of adenocarcinoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperdiploid chromosome 8 may be a useful marker to ascertain the malignant nature of pleural effusion.
Ning
J
J
Cancer Institute (Hospital), Chinese Academy Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.
Liu
S
S
Cheng
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000782:Aneuploidy; D002503:Centromere / Q000235:genetics; D002898:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000235:genetics*
D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes