Value of aceto-orcein squash preparations in the cytogenetic study of solid tumours

The value of aceto-orcein squash preparations as a routine initial step in the cytogenetic study of solid tumours is pointed out. This simple procedure allows a rapid evaluation to be made of various characteristics of the tumour, including the ploidy level, as well as a definitive assessment of nuclear phenomena including the incidence of X-chromatin bodies. Evaluation of the latter in normal as well as tumour cells led to the discovery of unsuspected congenital sex chromosome anomalies in two patients in this laboratory.