BACKGROUND: We applied classical cytogenetics, FISH and CGH to investigate prognostic important chromosomal changes, deletions of 17p, 11q and trisomy of chromosome 12 in 90 B-CLL patients at the time of diagnosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using classical cytogenetics the chromosomal changes were detected in 17 (18%) patients. Trisomy 12 was found in three patients, deletion 11q in two patients and deletion 17p in four patients. The employment of FISH and CGH revealed chromosomal changes in 52 (58%) patients, the trisomy of chromosome 12 was detected in 12 (13%) patients, the deletions of 11q and deletions of 17p in 10 patients (11%). Statistically significant correlation between higher disease activity and the stage of disease and the presence of deletion 11q and 17p was found. The trisomy of chromosome 12 was found in patients with abnormal markers and in patients with higher stage of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, the majority of chromosomal abnormalities in B-CLL may escape detection when classical cytogenetics is the only diagnostic technique used. It stresses the importance of employing additional techniques including FISH and CGH at the time of diagnosis.

Hemato onkologická klinika FN a LF Olomouc