title: t(3;8) as the sole chromosomal abnormality in a myoepithelial carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma: a putative progression event.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (Ca ex-PA) is defined as a carcinoma arising from a primary (de novo) or recurrent benign pleomorphic adenoma (PA).
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a parotid myoepithelial carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma in a 38-year-old man with a t(3;8)(p21;q13) as the only chromosomal alteration by cytogenetic and spectral karyotypic analysis (SKY).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The finding of this translocation in a subset of PA and in the present case suggests a critical role for this event in the malignant transformation of PA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Collectively, both the cytogenetic and the molecular studies suggest the concept that PA lacking alterations pursue a benign behavior, whereas those with the t(3;8) translocation may progress to carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: N Myers
authors.forename: Pulivarthi H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Adel K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: El-Naggar
mesh_terms: D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D002893:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3; D002898:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D014178:Translocation, Genetic