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Chromosomes in Preinvasive Lesions of the Human Uterine Cervix¹

British Columbia Cancer Institute and Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver 8, B.C., Canada

Chromosome preparations obtained by direct squashes of normal, dysplastic, and preinvasive neoplastic cervical epithelium were examined. The tissues were obtained either from cone biopsies performed because of abnormal cytologic smears, or from postcone hysterectomies.

Cells in 20 preparations of normal cervical epithelium were diploid and the chromosomes were consistent with normal karyotypes. Among 16 preparations of dysplasia, numerical abnormalities were observed in 6 cases and structural abnormalities in 2 cases. With one exception, all 16 specimens from areas of carcinoma in situ contained cells with structural and/or numerical abnormalities. Examination of multiple specimens from the same cone showed a correlation between the severity of the histologic changes and the cytogenetic abnormalities.

In three cases of dysplasia and carcinoma in situ, a similar marker chromosome was found. The possible significance of this recurring chromosome anomaly, seen early in cervical carcinogenesis, is discussed.

¹ Supported in part by a grant from the National Cancer Institute of Canada.

² Present address: Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver 8, B.C., Canada.

Received 12/27/66. Accepted 4/ 7/67.