Male cancer cells have their X chromosomes’silenced’

Researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have discovered that some
X- and Y-chromosome-bearing male cancer cells exhibit characteristics
consistent with X chromosome silencing.

Only when a female mammalian cell has a choice between two X chromosomes is
the X chromosome silenced.

Turning off an additional X chromosome at random is the body’s approach of
maintaining gender parity in chromosome quantity. It is not necessary to
inactivate either the X or Y chromosomes if there is only one X chromosome,
as is the case with the vast majority of male cells.