MUCOEPIDERMOID TUMOR OF THE PAROTID-GLAND SHOWING A TRANSLOCATION (3, 8)(P21, Q12) AND A DELETION (5)(Q22) AS SOLE CHROMOSOME-ABNORMALITIES

The cytogenetic findings in a mucoepidermoid tumor of the parotid gland are described. In addition to a t(3;8)(p21;q12), all cells analyzed showed a deletion of part of the long arm of chromosome 5. Although the typical translocation of benign pleomorphic adenomas was found, histologic examination did not show remmants of a pleomorphic adenoma. Nevertheless, we assumed that the malignant tumor most likely arose in a preexisting pleomorphic adenoma. As a mechanism for malignant transformation, the loss of a suppressor gene located on the long arm of chromosome 5 is discussed. © 1990.