Frequent loss of chromosome arm 9p has previously been described in chordomas (Scheil et al, 2001; Kuzniacka et al, 2004; Brandal et al, 2005), and particularly, the region covering the CDKN2A (p16 and p14) and CDKN2B (p15) loci in chromosomal band 9p21 has been shown to be deleted in many tumour types (Gil and Peters, 2006), also in chondrosarcoma (van Beerendonk et al, 2004). The gene discussed is CDKN2A; the disease is neoplasm.