DNAs from 253 fresh human tumors of 38 different types were hybridized with 17 
different oncogene probes. The analysis demonstrated unique associations between 
amplification of specific oncogenes and specific types of tumors. In a large 
number of cases it was determined that amplified oncogenes occurred in 10 to 20% 
of tumors with the following specific associations: c-myc in adenocarcinomas, 
squamous carcinomas and sarcomas but not hematologic malignancies; c-erbB2 in 
adenocarcinomas, particularly breast cancers; c-erbB1 in squamous carcinomas; 
N-myc in neuroblastomas. A small number of cases suggested other specific 
associations: amplified c-myb in breast cancers; amplified c-ras-Ha and c-ras-Ki 
in ovarian carcinomas. In addition, there was a correlation between 
amplification of c-myc and the clinical stage of adenocarcinomas, and 
amplification of c-erbB2 and the clinical stage and lymph node involvement of 
breast cancers.