Chromosome markers and progression in bladder cancer.

Abstract

The chromosome constitution of 62 papillary tumors and 75 invasive transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder has been examined. Of the 62 papillary tumors, 12 were benign and were found to be preponderantly diploid; 2 of these tumors recurred, however, and in each a few karyotypically abnormal cells were present on the original examination. The modal chromosome number in the 50 papillary cancers ranged in the diploid area (44 to 49 chromosomes) with the karyotypic picture being different from tumor to tumor. Of the 50 papillary cancers, 32 had 1 to 2 marker chromosomes. Twelve of the papillary tumors recurred; only 1 did not have a marker. Thus, the recurrence of the 11 papillary tumors with markers indicates that their presence may be of value in predicting the behavior of papillary cancers of the bladder. The chromosomal picture in the recurrent papillary tumors did not differ materially from the original one, although a slight modification in the chromosome number may occur. On the other hand, invasive transitional cell cancer of the bladder was accompanied by a large number of chromosomes and a relatively large number of marker chromosomes with many complicated karyotypic pictures. The presence of marker chromosomes in papillary cancers may be indicative of the likelihood of recurrence and/or progression of such tumors and should attract the attention of those involved in the care of patients with these cancers.