The cytogenetics and molecular genetics of lung cancer. Implications for pathologists.

The interactions of cytogenetic and molecular genetic changes in the pathogenesis and progression of lung cancer are complex. To the practicing pathologist, certain of these changes may prove useful as diagnostic or prognostic markers and may help in selecting patients for particular types of therapy. Changes such as 3p14-23 deletions, c-myc amplification, and L-myc RFLPs have already been reported to predict aggressive behavior in lung cancer. Future studies will clarify the application of these changes to the clinical care and treatment of patients with carcinoma of the lung.