Cytogenetic and molecular genetic characterization of 28 Serbian and Montenegrian neuroblastoma patients

Abstract

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a malignant childhood solid tumor of neuroectodermal cells. Clinical behavior of neuroblastomas is largely diverse - from spontaneous regression to rapid progression with a fatal outcome. From the analysis of bone marrow and tumors of NB patients at the cytogenetic molecular cytogenetic and molecular level non-random genetic changes have been identified, including ploidy changes, amplification of the N-myc oncogene and deletions of chromosome 1p. In this paper we present the cytogenetic, fluorescence in situ hybridization and molecular findings in 28 Serbian and Montenegrian NB patients. Reliable detection of these features should be regarded as mandatory for all new cases.