A variety of genetic abnormalities may be found in neuroblastomas. The pattern of genetic changes correlates with the clinical course and prognosis. This may help determine the therapeutic regimen used for treating the patient.
Genetic abnormalities that may be seen in neuroblastomas
(1) loss of heterozygosity (LOH) for the short arm of chromosome 1, including band 1p36 (partial chromosome monosomy)
(2) amplification of the N-myc proto-oncogene, which may be manifested as double minutes (dmins) chromatin bodies and/or a homogeneous staining region on human chromosomes
(3) changes in ploidy
(4) defects in expression or function of the nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR)
Parameter
Type 1
Type 2
Type 3
age of patient
< 12 months
any age
any age
clinical stage
I, II, IVS
I, II, III, IV, IVS
I, II, III, IV, IVS
ploidy
hyperdiploid, near triploid
near diploid, near tetraploid
near diploid, near tetraploid
chromosome 1p
normal
normal
deleted
double minutes chromatin bodies, or homogeneously staining region
absent
absent
present
N-myc copy
normal
normal
amplified
Outcome
good
intermediate
poor
after Table 2, page 1691, Brodeur 1992
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