DNA copy number changes in carcinoma in pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary gland: a comparative genomic hybridization study.

Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign tumor of the salivary glands and is rarely associated with concurrent epithelial malignancy, which is designated as carcinoma in pleomorphic adenoma (CPA). Genetic abnormalities potentially related to the development of CPA have not been fully investigated. We analyzed DNA copy number changes in each of the adenomatous and carcinomatous components of seven CPA by comparative genomic hybridization using DNA extracted from microdissected tissues of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor samples. Carcinomatous components of CPA showed multiple DNA copy number changes at 1-18 different genomic sites (mean 13 sites). Adenomatous components displayed less frequent DNA copy number changes (0-13 sites; mean, 5). In both components, the majority of the changes were gains. The most common recurrent gains in carcinomatous components were seen at 6q (four cases in each), whereas gains at 13q1-2 and 15q1 were most frequently detected in adenomatous components (three cases in each). In five CPA, the same chromosomal regions were involved in the DNA copy number changes detected in both components. Our data suggest that an accumulated or increased number of chromosomal changes including 6q abnormalities may be associated with the development of carcinomatous components in a subset of CPA.