Chromosomal analysis in Ewing sarcoma.

Two cases of Ewing sarcoma were karyotyped by using a fluorodeoxyuridine synchronisation procedure on short term cultures of fresh tumour material. This procedure enables rapid cytogenetic analysis of such material. Both showed relatively simple karyotypes, 48,XX, +2, +7,t(11;22)(q24;q12), ?dup(12)(q21----q24) and 47,XX,i(1q),t(11;22)(q24;q12). These results further support this translocation between chromosomes 11 and 22 as a specific marker for Ewing sarcoma. Cytogenetic studies in such cases are an important adjunct to histological studies and in some cases may contribute to the resolution of the diagnosis.