Array-based comparative genomic hybridization of ductal carcinoma in situ and synchronous invasive lobular cancer

It has been increasingly recognized that ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) and invasive cancer of the breast are often closely associated with one another. However, the genomic relationship between these histologically distinct entities has not been well characterized. Refinements in high-resolution comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) techniques allow for a detailed comparison of genomic alterations in synchronously occurring tumors. The following case illustrates how array CGH may be used to better understand whether synchronous neoplasms share a common origin.