Reciprocal Translocation in Small-Cell Sarcomas

To the Editor: In the August 30 issue, Whang-Peng and colleagues report finding the translocation rcp(11;22)(q24;q12) in tumor cells and cell lines from two patients with peripheral neuroepithelioma.¹ This observation was of considerable interest since the same chromosomal abnormalities were recently described in Ewing's sarcoma,^2,3 a neoplasm easily confused with undifferentiated peripheral neuroectodermal malignant tumors. In the context of these reports, we wish to describe the cytogenetic findings in a malignant peripheral neuroectodermal tumor initially diagnosed as Ewing's sarcoma. An 11-year-old girl presented with a soft-tissue mass involving the left hemithorax and fifth rib. Biopsy revealed a malignant monomorphic poorly…