CHROMOSOME-11 ABNORMALITIES IN BOWEN-DISEASE OF THE VULVA

Chromosomal cytogenetic abnormalities are common in tumor cells and ar e often the basis for more detailed chromosomal mapping of tumor suppr essor and oncogenes. Chromosome 11 abnormalities are frequently recogn ized in various neoplasms. We report a case of Bowen disease (squamous cell carcinoma in situ) of the vulva with an isolated 11p cytogenetic abnormality. A chromosome 11 paint confirmed two copies of chromosome 11 in all analyzed metaphases. An lip subtelomeric probe confirmed an abnormality of 11p15-->pter indicative of a deletion. Previous studie s of invasive vulvar cancers also frequently show 11p cytogenetic abno rmalities, but never as an isolated finding. The patient suffered from other diseases that may also be related to this locus. Breakage and p 53 studies were normal. It is possible that an 11p abnormality in Bowe n's disease is a precursor in the evolution of invasive vulva cancer. (C) Elsevier Science Inc., 1997.