Chromosomes of Human Cancer Cells

Abstract

The chromosomes have been examined in dividing cells from human tumours. Most of the successful preparations were from malignant effusions, and counts are given from 17 of these as well as from two control serous fluids. Counts from five solid tumours are also presented—three primary and two secondary. Malignant cells were found to have abnormal karyotypes, with a different pattern in each case. There is some variation of the chromosome number around an abnormal modal value, which is usually more than 46 but occasionally less. Secondary peaks are often found at multiples of the modal number. When cells with a normal karyotype are present as well they are explained by the occurrence of dividing normal cells in the same specimen (as shown in stained smears). In many of the tumour-cell populations it is possible to recognize distinctive abnormal chromosomes in all the cells, although their chromosome counts vary. This presumably indicates descent from the same original malignant cell. © 1962, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.