Giant-cell tumor of bone, stage II, displaying translocation t(12;19)(q13;q13)

A new case of giant-cell tumour (GCT) of bone with benign histological features, clinical stage II, has been reviewed with immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. After short-term tissue culture the karyotype, using G-banding techniques, presented a consistent translocation t(12;19)(q13;q13). Nude mice xenografts of the tumour were unsuccessful after 6 months of follow-up. Presence of such chromosomal rearrangement may be related to locally aggressive, histologically benign giant-cell tumors of bone.