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Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a complex karyotype (CK) has frequent alterations in TP53 and a very poor prognosis. We examined whether a prompt and simple fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis for 17p13 deletion at diagnosis has a predictive value for response to therapy and overall survival in subgroups of AML. In 15 patients with a normal karyotype the TP53 FISH analysis was normal, whereas in 16 patients with CK 75%% had only one copy of the TP53 allele. The deletion was also detected in 33%% of six patients with monosomy or partial monosomy of chromosome 5, 7, 9, or 12. This loss of TP53 correlated significantly with a poor response to chemotherapy, and the median survival time of these patients was shorter. TP53 FISH analysis carried out at diagnosis has a predictive value with respect to chemotherapy response and can therefore facilitate a rapid decision on treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Skull base tumors are rare neoplasms and the cytogenetic data on these tumors are limited. The authors cytogenetically analyzed a large series of tumors and compared the findings with patients' pathologic data. Methods. The karyotypes of pathologically confirmed samples of 101 patients, who were operated for oncological extirpation of tumors, were analyzed using G-banding and spectral-karyotyping techniques. Results. Of the 67 malignant tumors, 32 (48%) had chromosomal aberrations, some with complex numerical and structural chromosomal anomalies. Recurrent chromosomal breakpoints were identified in squamous cell carcinomas, adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACCs), sinonasal undifferentiated carcinomas, chordomas, and sarcomas. Specific breakpoints established the diagnosis of various soft tissue sarcomas. Novel chromosomal aberrations were found in various other malignant and benign tumors. Conclusion. This study highlights the value of cytogenetic analysis for diagnosis of skull base tumors. The data add further information on the biological behavior of these rare neoplasms. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]