t(4;19)(q35;q13.1): a recurrent change in primitive mesenchymal tumors?
We report an apparently balanced t(4;19)(q35;q13.1) as the sole cytogenetic change in a highly malignant extraskeletal sarcoma in a 12-year-old-boy. Tumor cells were negative for all immunocytochemical markers except vimentin and neuron-specific enolase. Electron microscopy indicated chondroblastic differentiation. The tumor was categorized as a malignant sarcoma with differentiation toward extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma. Reports of a similar translocation in an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and in a dedifferentiated sarcoma with both rhabdomyosarcomatous and osteosarcomatous elements suggest that this translocation can arise in a primitive mesenchymal stem cell that can differentiate along at least these three pathways.
Richkind
K E
KE
Integrated Genetics, Santa Fe, NM 87505, USA.
Romansky
S G
SG
Finklestein
J Z
JZ
D002648:Child; D002888:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19; D002894:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000235:genetics; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D014178:Translocation, Genetic