Chromosomal patterns in Warthin's tumor: A second type of human benign salivary gland neoplasm

Abstract

The cytogenetical observations in eight successfully cultured human adenolymphomas are reported. When the results were considered with those of two previously reported cases, three main stemline groups could be distinguished: (a) one with a normal karyotype and noted as a primary or secondary stemline in all hitherto studied tumors; (b) a second group with only numerical changes, either loss of the Y chromosome or trisomy or monosomy 5; and (c) a third group with only structural changes, as a rule with one or two reciprocal translocations. With regard to the last group, studies of many more cases are necessary to decide whether distinctive subgroups exist. Analyses using molecular methods are also urgently needed to clarify whether the normal stemline cells contain submicroscopic changes.