Translocation t(1;3)(p36.3;q25) is a nonrandom aberration in epithelioid hemangioendothelioma

The cytogenetic findings for two epithelioid hemangioendotheliomas are repo rted. An identical chromosomal translocation involving chromosomes I and 3 It(l:3)(p36.3;q25)] was detected in both cases of epithelioid hemangioendot helioma. possibly representing a characteristic rearrangement for this hist opathologic entity. The presence of clonal karyotypic abnormalities support s a neoplastic origin for the epithelioid variant of hemangioendothelioma. Identification of the 1;3 translocation may be useful diagnostically. Shoul d additional studies confirm these data, this could lead to the identificat ion of the gene(s) central to this neoplastic process.