Detailed cytogenetic study of a metastatic bronchial carcinoma.

Karyotyping and marker analysis of G- and C-banded metaphases from a metastatic bronchial carcinoma revealed a dominant stemline with five markers and four sidelines with additional markers. One to three minute bodies were noted in the majority of cells and these were classified as markers. On the basis of this analysis it was possible to postulate an evolutionary pathway within the tumour whereby the stemline was derived from existing sidelines.