Premature chromosome condensation in human large bowel cancer

Two patients with large bowel cancer are described in whose tumors the presence of cells with premature chromosome condensation (PCC) was encountered. The percentage of PCC In the tumors was 6.9 and 6.6%. We hypothesize that the near tetraploid chromosome number present in the tumor cells in both patients may be the product of fusion of two near diploid malignant cells. Also it is speculated that some colorectal tumors with chromosomes ranging from the hypotriploid to the hypotetraploid levels may be the result of cell fusion.