Objective : Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) is an essential tool to screen chromosomal imbalances in cancer cytogenetic research. In the present study, we estimated cytological staining methods in analyzing genomic DNA extracted from cytological smear by CGH. Study Design : Imprint cytological slides were prerared for each fresh-frozen breast cancer tissue. The slides were stained by three staining methods. Under microscopic observation, cancer cells were microdissected and forwarded to DNA extraction and degenerate oligonucleotide-primed (DOP) PCR CGH. Results : CGH was possible in all methylgreen-stained and Giemsa-stained cytological slides, but not all in Papanicolaou-stained slides. Number of chromosomal imbalance detected was 6 to 11 in methylgreen-stained slides, and 5 to 10 in Giemsa-stained slides. Conclusion : The present study indicates that Giemsa staining is preferable to Papanicolaou staining for CGH analysis of cytological slides.
