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Published on: May 8, 2018
Clonal cytogenetic abnormalities in Erdheim-Chester disease
Eneida F Vencio1, Robert B Jenkins, Jamie L Schiller
1Division of Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Insights
This study presents the first cytogenetic findings in Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD), a rare disorder. A specific chromosomal translocation was identified, suggesting ECD may be a neoplastic process.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Histopathology
Background:
- Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare histiocytic disorder affecting bone and viscera.
- The etiology of ECD remains unknown, with ongoing debate regarding its reactive versus neoplastic nature.
Observation:
- This report details the cytogenetic analysis of an ECD case diagnosed at Mayo Clinic Rochester.
- The tumor, located in the right tibia of a 35-year-old male, exhibited a balanced chromosomal translocation t(12;15;20)(q11;q24;p13.3) and other numeric abnormalities.
- Immunohistochemical analysis revealed CD68 positivity and negativity for CD1a and S100.
Findings:
- The identified chromosomal abnormalities, including the t(12;15;20) translocation, provide evidence for a clonal neoplastic origin in this ECD case.
- The immunophenotype supports a putative histiocytic differentiation.
Implications:
- These findings suggest that some cases of Erdheim-Chester disease may represent clonal neoplastic disorders.
- Further research is needed to determine if these chromosomal abnormalities are recurrent in ECD and to elucidate the precise nature of the disease.
Abstract:
Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare histiocytic disorder of unknown etiology that involves predominantly bone and viscera. Whether ECD represents a reactive or neoplastic process has been debated since its initial description. Herein, we report for the first time the cytogenetic findings of a case of ECD diagnosed at Mayo Clinic Rochester. The tumor occurred in the right tibia of a 35-year-old man and showed the balanced chromosomal translocation t(12;15;20)(q11;q24;p13.3), among other numeric chromosomal abnormalities. The lesion was positive for CD68 and negative for CD1a and S100. These findings support the idea that some cases of ECD are clonal neoplastic disorders of putative histiocytic differentiation. However, additional studies are warranted to confirm whether the chromosomal abnormalities found in this case represent recurrent cytogenetic events.
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