HOMOGENEOUSLY STAINING REGIONS IN 223 BREAST CARCINOMAS - CYTOGENETICAND CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL CORRELATIONS

A correlation analysis was performed on 223 breast carcinomas to asses s the relationships between gene amplification, karyotypic and clinico pathological features. Homogeneously staining region (HSR) is the most frequent form of amplification found in breast cancer. HSR-containing tumours accounted for 60% of the cases, Although up to 40% of tumours with slightly altered karyotype contained HSRs, an excess of HSRs was found within the tumours whose karyotype showed the highest rates of rearranged chromosomes. HSRs were also found to be particularly freque nt in small tumours of high histological grade and with a low expressi on of progesterone receptors, An excess of HSRs seems to be observed i n younger patients, however, significant correlation could be demonstr ated only for patients below 55 years and below 60 years, compared wit h older ones. With a 120-month follow-up for 152 patients, a significa nt association between the presence of HSRs and a shortened overall su rvival was observed. Altogether, the presence of HSRs appears to be a good indicator of poor prognosis, Further studies are needed to determ ine whether amplification of specific genes or cell ability to amplify is the most important parameter for tumour progression.