Chromosomes and cancer: new nomenclature and future directions.

The recent advent of high resolution chromosome techniques for the study of neoplasia has conceivably expanded the scope of cancer cytogenetics, making feasible the detection of chromosomal defects in most neoplasias. Because of the usefulness of the new technology, the Standard Chromosome Nomenclature has been extended to give a unified numbering system to the fine bands observed and to maintain a simple system for the description of previously undetectable defects and the more precise delineation of chromosomal rearrangements.