Unit Code 87862:
Neuroblastoma, N-myc Amplification, FISH
Useful For
As a prognostic factor for patients with neuroblastoma
As an aid to treatment decisions in some patients with
neuroblastoma
Clinical Information
Neuroblastoma is a solid tumor that occurs in early childhood and
is usually found in the adrenal glands, but rarely is found in other
areas of the body. Approximately 25% of all neuroblastomas have
amplification of the N-myc oncogene, located on chromosome 2
at p24.1. Amplification of the N-myc oncogene correlates with an
unfavorable prognosis and aggressive disease.
Reference Values
An interpretive report will be provided.
Interpretation
N-myc gene amplification is reportedly an unfavorable prognostic
marker and associated with aggressive behavior in neuroblastomas.
Cautions
This test is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and
is best used as an adjunct to existing clinical and pathologic information.
This test is not diagnostic for neuroblastoma. Other tumors including
medulloblastoma, retinoblastoma, astrocytoma, and small cell lung
cancer may have amplification of N-myc.
Special Instructions and Forms
Clinical Reference
1. Ambros PF, Ambros IM, SIOP Europe Blastoma Pathology,
Biology, and Bone Marrow Group: Pathology and biology
guidelines for resectable and unresectable neuroblastic
tumors and bone marrow examination guidelines. Med
Pediatr Oncol 2001 Dec;37(6):492-504
2. Spitz R, Hero B, Skowron M, et al: MYCN-status in neuroblastoma:
characteristics of tumours showing amplification, gain, and non-
amplification. Eur J Cancer 2004 Dec;40(18):2753-2759
3. Valent A, Le Roux G, Barrois M, et al: MYCN gene overrepresentation
detected in primary neuroblastoma tumour cells without amplification.
J Pathol 2002 Dec;198(4):495-501
4. Schwab M: Amplified MYCN in human neuroblastoma: paradigm
for the translation of molecular genetics to clinical oncology. Ann N Y
Acad Sci 2002 Jun;963:63-73
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