High-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas display unique cytogenetic aberrations.
Neuroendocrine tumors represent a spectrum of tumor types with different biologic and clinical features. The morphologic types include the low-grade typical and atypical carcinoids and the high-grade small cell and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). Cytogenetic descriptions of high-grade NECs are rare. Complete karyotypic descriptions of 34 high-grade NECs are reviewed: 7 extrapulmonary small cell NECs, 3 metastatic NECs of unknown primary, and 24 small cell lung carcinomas (SCLCs). Chromosomal deletions are more frequent than gains and often involve the entire chromosome arm. Typical aberrations are deletions of chromosome 3p, 5q, 10q, and 17p and gains of 1q, 3q, and 5p occurring as isochromosomes. Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) have different cytogenetic aberrations, but those with a metastatic phenotype display the identical aberrations as SCLC, a tumor known for its metastatic phenotype at onset. A genetic classification of lung cancer that incorporates the pattern of recurrent chromosome aberrations may be a better predictor of clinical outcome than a morphologic classification.
Welborn
Jeanna
J
Department of Internal Medicine, University of California at Davis Medical Center, UCDMC Cancer Center, Room 3017, 4501 X Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA. jenna.welborn@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
Jenks
Helen
H
Taplett
Janet
J
Walling
Paula
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000235:genetics; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002871:Chromosome Banding; D003582:Cytogenetics / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000235:genetics*; D011003:Ploidies; D016896:Treatment Outcome