Abstract: Provided is a method for detecting genomic instability, independent of microsatellite alterations, comprising the steps of treating a comparison pair of genomic DNA from tumor cells and genomic DNA from normal cells with oligonucleotide primers under conditions for, and in an amplification reaction to, amplify a target sequence associated with such genomic instability. Detection of an alteration in the banding pattern of amplified product from genomic DNA from tumor cells as compared to that of normal cells, is indicative of such genomic instability. Additionally provided is a process for simultaneously assessing changes in methylation patterns in the genomic DNA tested comprising treating the genomic DNA with reagents for detecting methylation status prior to the amplification reaction, comparing the resultant banding patterns of amplified products, wherein differences in the banding patterns is indicative of an alteration in methylation.