Comparative genomic hybridization of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma - Correlations between chromosomal aberrations and disease progression/prognosis

BACKGROUND. Esophageal carcinoma is a major cause of cancer-related deaths among males in Taiwan. However, to date, the genetic alterations that accom pany this lethal disease are not understood. METHODS. Chromosomal aberrations of 46 samples of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (EC-SCC) were analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) , and their correlations with pathologic staging and prognosis were analyze d statistically. RESULTS. In total, 321 gains and 252 losses were found in 46 tumor samples; thus, the average gains and losses per patient were 6.98 and 5.47, respect ively. Frequent gain abnormalities were found on chromosome arms 1q, 2q, 3q , 5p, 7p, 7q, 8q, 11q, 12p, 12q, 14q, 17q, 20q, and Xq. Frequent deletions were found on chromosome arms 1p, 3p, 4p, 5q, 8p, 9p, 9q, 11q, 13q, 16p, 17 p, 18q, 19p, and 19q. It was found that deletions of 4p and 13q12-q14 and g ain of 5p were significantly correlated with pathologic staging. Losses of 8p22-pter and 9p also were found more frequently in patients with advanced disease. Gain of 8q24-qter was seen more frequently in patients with Grade 3 rumors. A univariate analysis found that pathologic staging; gains of 5p and 7q; and deletions of 4p, 9p, and 11q were significant prognostic factor s. However, pathologic staging became the only significant factor in a mult ivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS. CGH not only revealed novel chromosomal aberrations in EC-SCC, but also found possible genotypic changes associated with disease progress ion. Despite all of the possible associations of chromosomal aberrations wi th disease progression, the most important prognostic factor for patients w ith EC-SCC was pathologic staging. Cancer 2001;92:2769-77. (C) 2001 America n Cancer Society.