Lung cancer in which the hypothesis of multi-step progression is confirmed by array-CGH results: A case report

The pathogenesis of lung cancer has not been fully elucidated and biological markers acting as predictors of tumor evolution and aggressiveness remain unidentified. The multi‑step hypothesis, suggesting a progression from adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) to adenocarcinoma (AC) through bronchioalveolar carcinoma (BAC), was highlighted in a previous cytogenetic study performed in a single case. The present study reports the results of an array‑comparative genomic hybridization (a‑CGH) analysis performed on the DNA obtained from the previously reported case that presented AAH, BAC and AC in one lung. The a‑CGH results confirm and support the previous cytogenetic observations with new data, clearly supporting the hypothesis of a multi‑step carcinogenic process in the lung.