Complex genetic changes are present in Wilms tumors:
- Trisomies 8, 12, and 18 common
- 11p deletions in 20% of cases
- trisomy 12 in 25%
- del(16q) in 20%
- Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 1p, 7p and 16q.
Tumor-specific Loss of Heterozygosity (LOH) for specific chromosomes is a prognostic factor in Wilms tumor.
- Tumor-specific LOH for either chromosome 1p or 16q is associated with a worse
outcome in FH Wilms tumors, relative to those without LOH. - LOH for chromosome 1p seen in about 11% of Wilms tumors and is associated with poorer outcome.
- Tumor-specific LOH 1p is associated with a significantly worse outcome for Stage II patients but not for Stage III/IV (more intense chemotherapy in latter group overcomes negative effect of LOH 1p).
- Tumor-specific loss of 16q in 20% of patients and associated with a poorer two-year
Relapse Free survival (RFS). - LOH for chromosome for both 1p and 16q in Stage I and II FH Wilms tumor is associated with a poorer prognosis with a greater risk of relapse and mortality.
- Stage I or II FH tumors with either LOH 1p or LOH 16 q alone have a lesser risk for relapse than those with both LOH 1p and 16q
Reports suggest that anaplasia may be associated with mutation and or over expression of p53.
For more information:
Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology Wilms Tumor Page
