Chromosome study of five cancers of the prostate.

Nonrandom chromosome changes were sought in direct preparations of tumour material from the primary site of four carcinomas and one leiomyosarcoma of the prostate. Two of the carcinomas had previously received oestrogen therapy. A deleted chromosome 10, del(10)(q24), was found in all four carcinomas and may represent a specific marker in prostatic carcinoma. Three of the carcinomas also had a deleted chromosome 7, del(7)(q22), while the fourth had a 7p+. Deleted chromosomes 7 and 10 were not identified among the markers present in the leiomyosarcoma. All five tumours contained one or more abnormal chromosomes derived from chromosome 1. A Y chromosome was present in the leiomyosarcoma but in none of the carcinomas.