Cytogenetics of a malignant ovarian germ‐cell tumor

Cytogenetic investigation of a malignant ovarian tumor diagnosed as a mixed germ‐cell tumor, composed of extensive choriocarcinoma and foci of yolk‐sac tumor, revealed a highly abnormal chromosomal pattern. We found a chromosome number in the hypertriploid/hypotetraploid range, and several clonal structural abnormalities, including 2 copies of an isochromosome 12p. We showed that the chromosomal pattern of this ovarian tumor is very similar to that of testicular germ‐cell tumors. This finding, together with reported cytogenetic data of malignant ovarian germ‐cell tumors, supports the hypothesis that ovarian and testicular germ‐cell tumors are strongly related entities that may have a similar origin and pathogenetic pathway. Int. J. Cancer 77:217–218, 1998.© 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.