Ewing's sarcoma. Pathology, tissue culture, and cytogenetics

The pathology, in vitro growth pattern and karyotype of an Ewing's sarcoma are reported. Light and electron microscopic findings of a talus biopsy showed pathologic characteristics typical of Ewing's sarcoma. In vitro tumor cells grew on a monolayer as small, plump, refractile cells. Tumor cells were also capable of proliferating in soft agar. Chromosome studies of cultured cells showed two consistent abnormalities: trisomy 8 and a translocation, t(11;22)(q24;q13), which has been reported previously in Ewing's sarcoma. Since this tumor is frequently difficult to distinguish from other small cell tumors, the use of several techniques (electron microscopy, tissue culture, chromosome studies) may aid the diagnosis.