Chromosomes in Precancerous Lesions and in Tumour Development

Abstract

Cytogenetical studies of human tumours have been carried out mainly on advanced stages of malignancies, it can therefore be argued that the chromosome anomalies observed are far removed from the primary events of the carcinogenic process, and should only be considered to be secondary effects of malignant transformation. If chromosome anomalies have a role in this process, the study of chromosome behaviour in precancerous lesions could be expected to provide relevant information. Such studies have been pioneered by Dr. A. I. Spriggs’ Cytodiagnostic Unit at Oxford, who investigated chromosome abnormalities in carcinoma in situ and dysplasias of the uterine cervix, which are the most suitable lesions for such studies as about 40 per cent develop into invasive cancer.