Chromosomal markers: Signposts on the road to understanding neoplastic disease

Classical cytogenetic studies have defined chromosomal attributes of tumors that are useful at present in the diagnosis, classification, and management of leukemic disorders, and in some solid tumors as well.1,2 Recent advances in molecular techniques now permit application of some forms of chromosomal analysis to studies in cytopathology. However, to fully understand the present and potential uses of these tumor markers, it is necessary to have some background and perspective on classical cytogenetics. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1998;18:18–23. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.