<div class="description">
<p>Cytogenetics of Salivary Gland Neoplasms<br>Lieutenant Rachel L. Werner, DC, USN, Captain Robert D. Foss, DC, USN<br><br>Introduction<br>Molecular cytogenetics involves, among other things, the study of chromosomal abnormalities at the level of DNA. Chromosome translocations are genetic abnormalities caused by the transfer of a chromosomal segment to a new position, especially on a different chromosome. Translocations can result in the overexpression of one gene by placing it next to a routinely expressed gene. A common scenario in tumorigenesis is the fusion of a proto-oncogene with a promoter gene, resulting in overexpression of a functional fusion protein that leads to cell immortality. These are acquired genetic events, as opposed to congenital germline or syndrome-producing mutations. Tumor-specific chromosomal translocations have important diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic implications and are now considered to be the defining features of a wide variety of hematogenous and soft tissue tumors.<br>More recently, there has been significant progress in understanding the cytogenetics of salivary gland tumors. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma and pleomorphic adenoma, the two most common salivary gland tumors1; along with adenoid cystic carcinoma, mammary analogue secretory carcinoma and hyalinizing clear cell adenocarcinoma all harbor specific and characteristic translocations.<br></p>
<br>Subjects: Carcinoma; Chromosome Aberrations;  Chromosomes ;  Cytogenetic Analysis ; Cytogenetics; Proto-Oncogenes; Salivary Gland Neoplasms</div>
<div class="fn value">
U.S. Navy. Naval Postgraduate Dental School</div>
Internet Archive identifier