Cytogenetic Abnormalities Associated with Endocrine Neoplasia

During the past decade, cytogenetic studies of solid human neoplasms have come of age. Although technically more difficult and often ambiguous in comparison with cytogenetic studies of leukemias and lymphomas (1) cytogenetic studies of many solid tumors have yielded valuable insights into tumor pathogenesis and prognosis. In addition, in the last decade we have seen increasing application of molecular genetic techniques to the study of cancer, which has contributed greatly to our understanding of mechanisms controlling cell growth. Specific genetic alterations responsible for the pathogenesis of a number of neoplasms have been identified.