No chromosomal instability in offspring of survivors of childhood malignancy.

ABSTRACT

Chromosomal instability was examined in 20 apparently healthy children of survivors of childhood malignancy. As compared to controls, no increase of spontaneous or bleomycin-induced aberrations (including gaps, breaks, sister chromatid exchanges, pulverization, and premature centromere divisions) were found in these "index children." The results suggest that the offspring of subjects previously receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for childhood malignancy are probably at no increased risk of latent chromosomal instability.