Cytogenetic characterization of Ewing tumors using fine needle aspiration samples: a 10-year experience and review of the literature

Chromosomal analysis was performed in fine needle aspiration samples of 98 primary Ewing tumors (ETs) prior to treatment. Among the 58 (59.18%) successful cultures, t(11;22)(q24;q12) was observed in 87.9% and 6.8% had abnormalities other than t(11;22), viz., del(22)(q12), der(16)t(1;16)(q12;q11), and variant t(8;22)(q24;q12). Involvement of breakpoints 1q21, 1q22, 3p14, 16q22, and 17p13 was also observed. Numerical abnormalities such as trisomies 8 and 12 were found in 29.3% and 20.6% and trisomy 18 in 17.2%. An attempt was made to evaluate the role of these additional changes in the process of tumor development, metastasis, and progression of the disease. This is the largest cytogenetic study on ET from a single center using a simple and reliable technique of fine-needle aspiration culture. The literature on cytogenetics of ET is reviewed.