A novel der(16)t(3;16)(p25;q24) in a patient with ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND Non-random simple chromosomal aberrations in various malignancies provide important insights into the molecular pathogenesis of human cancer. Although extensive data exist on recurring chromosomal abnormalities in hematological cancer, data on individual solid tumor types remain limited. Here we present the case of a patient with ovarian cancer with a specific chromosomal abnormality. CASE REPORT Cytogenetic analysis utilized a G-banding technique, which was performed with direct culture of the surgically removed cancer cells from a 23-year-old woman with grade II ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma. The patient had no family history of ovarian cancer. RESULTS We report a novel der(16)t(3;16)(p25;q24) accompanied by terminal deletion of 3p25 as the simple chromosomal aberration in this case. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, no such translocation has been previously reported. The present study supports the possible role of both del(3)(p25) and the translocation t(3;16)(p25;q24) in ovarian cancer; nevertheless, the significance of these chromosomal changes in the development of ovarian cancer remains unknown. The significance of this finding and its role in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer requires further clarification.