CHROMOSOMAL-ABERRATIONS IN A CONSECUTIVE SERIES OF CHILDHOOD RHABDOMYOSARCOMA

Background and Procedure, During a 13-year period, 22 children were tr eated for rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). In 18 of these patients chromosome a nalysis was attempted on material from tumor biopsies, fine needle asp iration biopsies and/or hone marrow samples. Results. Clonal chromosom e aberrations were detected in 14 cases; 7 of 9 embryonal RMS, 6 of 8 alveolar RMS and in the single case of pleomorphic RMS. Cytogenetic fa ilures were more frequent in fine needle aspiration biopsies than in t umor biopsies. The characteristic t(2;13) translocation was seen in 2 alveolar RMS but not in any of the other subtypes. In 3 of the embryon al RMS hyperdiploid or hypertetraploid karyotypes with few or no struc tural rearrangements were seen. In all 3 cases the clinical course was relatively benign, suggesting that certain karyotypic patterns in RIM S may be of prognostic significance. Conclusions. Our results add to t he evidence that cytogenetic analysis should he an integral part of th e diagnostic examinations of children with RMS. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, I nc.