Trisomy 7 and 17 mark papillary renal cell tumours irrespectively of variation of the phenotype.

BACKGROUND

Papillary renal cell tumours (RCTs) have been described as a genetic entity. Recently, papillary RCTs have been divided into small (type 1) and large (type 2) cell tumours. Subsequent DNA analyses have resulted in controversial data regarding putative genetic changes marking type 1 and type 2 tumours.

AIM: The aim of this study was to improve the original description that papillary RCT is a genetic entity regardless of the phenotypic variation.

METHODS

DNA from 163 papillary RCTs, including 82 multiplex tumours from eight hereditary cases, was analysed for copy number changes by chromosomal comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH) and/or for allelic changes at chromosomes 7 and 17 by microsatellite analysis. The results of the genetic analysis were compared with the cytological characteristics of the tumours.

RESULTS

The results showed alterations of chromosomes 7 and 17 at similar frequencies in papillary RCTs with characteristics ranging from small to large cell, nuclear grade 1 to 3, and 3 mm to 16 cm diameter.

CONCLUSION

Trisomies of chromosomes 7 and 17 are specific genetic alterations in papillary RCTs irrespective of their size, grade and cellular differentiation.