Chromosomal defects in renal cell carcinoma.

Numerous chromosomal defects have been identified in hereditary and sporadic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tumor cells. Current data indicate that visible, and/or submicroscopic lesions on the 3p are fundamental to RCC development; other chromosomal abnormalities are identified less frequently and may be secondarily involved in RCC production in some cases. Oncogenesis may be initiated via inactivation of suppressor allele pairs, or through activation of oncogenes via translocation to areas of increased gene expression, migration to a chromosomal breakpoint, or gene amplification.