CHROMOSOMES AND CAUSATION OF HUMAN CANCER AND LEUKEMIA .54. NONRANDOM CHROMOSOME CHANGES IN MALIGNANT-MELANOMA

Abstract

Chromosome aberrations were analyzed in 4 cases of malignant melanoma (MM) after disaggregation of the tumors with collagenase and short-term culture. In all cell cultures, the MM cells displayed a typical triangular spindle form. The chromosome number was near-diploid in 1 case and near-triploid in 3 cases. A total of 27 abnormal chromosomes were identified with the Giemsa banding technique. By far, the most common types of abnormalities were translocations, followed by deletions and isochromosomes. Chromosomes 1, 6, and 7 were most frequently involved in structural aberrations. Markers originating from chromosomes 1 and 6 were found in all 4 cases, and abnormalities of chromosomes 1 and 6 were found in three. Each marker chromosome was unique for a given case; no common markers for 2 or more cases were found. Based on the present results and an analysis of reports on the chromosomal constitution of MM cells in the literature, abnormalities involving chromosomes 6 and 7 may be a characteristic feature of MM. Aberrations of chromosome 1, although common in MM, may be a part of a general cytogenetic feature in human neoplasia.