Cytogenetic data in 41 patients with multiple myeloma. Karyotype and other clinical parameters.

Cytogenetic data of 41 patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM) are reported. In all samples, cytogenetic studies were made of short-term and B-cell-stimulated culture: 20 cases (48.8%) showed chromosome abnormalities; 14 karyotypes were hypo- or pseudodiploid, and six were hyperdiploid. The most frequent numerical changes affected chromosomes 7, 11, 5 (gains), 14, 20, and Y (losses). Chromosome structural rearrangements of 22q were noted in six patients. Other and recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities were changes involving chromosomes 1, 14, and 17. A significant relation was observed between presence of chromosome abnormalities and the following hematologic parameters: clinical stage III (p = 0.0212), bone marrow (BM) plasma cell infiltration greater than 30% (p = 0.0379), presence of bone lesions (p = 0.0051), and beta 2-microglobulin levels greater than 4,000 md/dl (p = 0.0194).