Marker chromosomes involving chromosome No. 1 were studied with banding techniques in 10 primary solid tumours. Structural or numerical aberrations of chromosome No. 1 were found in nine of these. Two major types of rearrangement of chromosome No. 1 were observed: translocation of the long arm (partial trisomy) and an isochromosome of of 1q. Earlier chromosome studies and the present cases suggest that regions near the centromere and q21 are vulnerable points on human chromosome No. 1, and that region q21-32 is important for development of certain tumour types.

Direct chromosome analysis with G-banding revealed homogeneously staining regions (HSR) in five of 16 human solid malignant tumours of different histological types. The HSR's were localized either terminally or interstitially on the marker chromosomes. The great stability of the HSR-carrying markers in the tumour cells suggests an interrelationship of malignant cell proliferation with the HSR. In a single case the HSR showed a moderate staining intensity for C-heterochromatin.

The very rare condition of multicentric desmoid tumours involving two distant and apparently independent sites is reported in a 17-year-old man. The tumours grew simultaneously and reached approximately equal size. No evidence of familiar polyposis or any other feature of Gardner's syndrome were noted. The proximal desmoid tumour developed from the left hip region and extended into the femoral bone, whereas the distal mass was attached to the left popliteal fossa infiltrating the flexor muscles, the nerves and vessels. On the basis of the good results published recently in the literature and our own earlier experiences, the intralesional resection of the desmoid tumours was completed with postoperative fractionated radiotherapy.

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Percutaneous video choledochoscopic-assisted removal of large retained biliary stones via the T-tube tract is a highly effective and safe procedure. Its advantages over other procedures include the ability to visualize the stones and noncalculous filling defects; it also guarantees that the stones can be removed under visual video endoscopic control. It has no problems related to tract or stone size.