Renal cell carcinoma genetic analysis by comparative genomic hybridization and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

To compare comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Fifteen RCC specimens were analyzed by both CGH and RFLP analysis at 18 loci. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was informative on 90 chromosomal arms. Allelic imbalance was identified on 27 chromosomal arms by RFLP and on 26 arms by CGH. Data from CGH and RFLP demonstrated a high degree of concordance (p < 0.001). Comparative genomic hybridization identified previously documented areas of interest in RCC as well as potential new areas of interest including loss of genetic material on chromosome 2 and gains of genetic material on chromosome 16p. Comparative genomic hybridization can successfully be performed in RCC specimens. As it surveys the entire genome simultaneously, it may be more efficient than conventional cytogenetics or RFLP analysis in analyzing RCC.