Nasopharyngeal carcinoma heterogeneity of DNA content identified on cytologic preparations.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate tumor heterogeneity of DNA content in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) performed on cytologic specimens. STUDY DESIGN: Image cytometric analysis of DNA ploidy status of 40 NPCs was performed on nasopharyngeal brushing smears stained with the Feulgen method after hematoxylin eosin staining. If the DNA distribution pattern from the same tumor exhibited diploid, aneuploid or/and tetraploid peaks or some combination of these patterns, the presence of tumor heterogeneity of DNA content was identified. RESULTS: Thirty-four cases (85%) had a nondiploid DNA pattern among the 40 NPCs. Twenty-eight cases exhibited tumor heterogeneity of DNA content (70%). Of the 28 tumors, 13 (46%) had a combination of diploid and tetraploid patterns, 10 (37%) had a combination of diploid and aneuploid patterns, 3 cases (11%) had a combination of tetraploid and aneuploid patterns, and 2 cases had two aneuploid stem lines. The relationship between DNA ploidy pattern and tumor histologic and cytologic morphology was also examined. CONCLUSION: There is a high incidence of DNA content heterogeneity in NPC. The relevance of tumor heterogeneity to the biologic behavior of NPC awaits further study. DNA quantification with image cytometry on destained cytologic preparations is feasible and reliable.     

Prognostic significance of DNA ploidy determined by high-resolution flow cytometry in breast carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prognostic value of DNA ploidy in breast carcinoma and its relation to other established prognostic factors. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated DNA ploidy in 303 breast carcinoma patients with a median follow-up of 63 months. Flow cytometry was performed on frozen tumor material, yielding histograms with narrow peaks (median coefficient of variation of 2.08). DNA ploidy pattern was classified as either diploid versus nondiploid, euploid (diploid and tetraploid) versus aneuploid or diploid/near-diploid (DNA index < 1.2) versus other, and correlated with relapse-free (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) along with tumor size, histologic grade and type, axillary lymph node involvement, menopausal and steroid receptor status, age and type of treatment. RESULTS: Seventy-one percent of tumors were DNA nondiploid (14% tetraploid and 57% aneuploid). There was a strong association between DNA ploidy and histologic grade. Histologic grade, lymph node status, tumor size and DNA ploidy (regardless of the classification used) were all significantly associated with RFS and CSS in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that DNA ploidy, at least when determined from frozen tumor tissue, is an independent prognostic factor in breast carcinoma; however, its prognostic power seems to be inferior to that of histologic grade, with which it strongly correlates.     

Is agNOR and DNA ploidy analysis useful for evaluating thyroid neoplasms?

OBJECTIVE: To correlate the subjective AgNOR counting method and DNA content with histologic diagnoses of thyroid cancer and invasion. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty-one consecutive cases of thyroid carcinoma were selected for DNA and AgNOR analysis. The diagnoses were: papillary carcinoma (n = 40), follicular carcinoma (n = 31), Hürthle cell adenocarcinoma (n = 4), and undifferentiated carcinoma (n = 6). Seven normal thyroids were used as controls. DNA quantitative measurement was performed with Vidas 2.0 software (Kontron Bildanalyse, Munich, Germany) connected to an MPM 210 photometer microscope (Carl Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany). The DNA index was obtained using histograms. Counting the NORs was performed by subjectively counting the NORs in 200 malignant cells. RESULTS: DNA ploidy analysis showed all Hürthle cell adenocarcinomas, 21 (67%)follicular tumors, 23 (57%) papillary tumors and 4 (67%) undifferentiated carcinomas to be aneuploid. DNA analysis correlated with histologic type of the tumor (p = 0.032). There was no statistical significance to the AgNOR counting variables studied. Statistical analysis showed correlation between ploidy and histologic diagnosis, but not AgNOR counting, to have prognostic value. CONCLUSION: DNA ploidy is more useful than subjective counting of NORs as an adjunct method for thyroid lesion analysis.     

Evaluation of tumor heterogeneity of prostate carcinoma by flow- and image DNA cytometry and histopathological grading.

BACKGROUND: Heterogeneity of prostate carcinoma is one of the reasons for pretreatment underestimation of tumor aggressiveness. We studied tumor heterogeneity and the probability of finding the highest tumor grade and DNA aneuploidy with relation to the number of biopsies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Specimens simulating core biopsies from five randomly selected tumor areas from each of 16 B?cking's grade II and 23 grade III prostate carcinomas were analyzed for tumor grade and DNA ploidy by flow- and fluorescence image cytometry (FCM, FICM). Cell cycle composition was measured by FCM. RESULTS: By determination of ploidy and cell cycle composition, morphologically defined tumors can further be subdivided. Heterogeneity of tumor grade and DNA ploidy (FCM) was 54% and 50%. Coexistence of diploid tumor cells in aneuploid specimens represents another form of tumor heterogeneity. The proportion of diploid tumor cells decreased significantly with tumor grade and with increase in the fraction of proliferating cell of the aneuploid tumor part. The probability of estimating the highest tumor grade or aneuploidy increased from 40% for one biopsy to 95% for 5 biopsies studied. By combining the tumor grade with DNA ploidy, the probability of detecting a highly aggressive tumor increased from 40% to 70% and 90% for one and two biopsies, respectively. CONCLUSION: Specimens of the size of core biopsies can be used for evaluation of DNA ploidy and cell cycle composition. Underestimation of aggressiveness of prostate carcinoma due to tumor heterogeneity is minimized by simultaneous study of the tumor grade and DNA ploidy more than by increasing the number of biopsies. The biological significance of coexistent diploid tumor cell in aneuploid lesions remains to be evaluated.     

DNA ploidy pattern and amplification of ERBB and ERBB2 genes in human gastric carcinomas

The DNA ploidy pattern and amplification of ERBB and ERBB2 genes were examined in paraffin-embedded tissue from gastric carcinomas using flow cytometry and a slot-blot hybridization technique. The incidence of aneuploidy in well differentiated adenocarcinomas (56%) was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than that in poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas (21%). The DNA ploidy pattern was not remarkably different between the primary tumors and metastatic deposits in lymph nodes. Of the nine specimens having an aneuploid stem cell line in the primary tumor and/or in metastases, three showed ERBB2 gene amplification and one showed ERBB gene amplification. The incidence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) immunoreactivity in tumor cells showed no difference between diploid and aneuploid tumors. These findings indicate that aneuploidy is frequently associated with amplification of ERBB and ERBB2 genes.     

DNA ploidy pattern and amplification of ERBB and ERBB2 genes in human gastric carcinomas

The DNA ploidy pattern and amplification of ERBB and ERBB2 genes were examined in paraffinembedded tissue from gastric carcinomas using flow cytometry and a slot-blot hybridization technique. The incidence of aneuploidy in well differentiated adenocarcinomas (56%) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that in poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas (21%). The DNA ploidy pattern was not remarkably different between the primary tumors and metastatic deposits in lymph nodes. Of the nine specimens having an aneuploid stem cell line in the primary tumor and/or in metastases, three showed ERBB2 gene amplification and one showed ERBB gene amplification. The incidence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) immunoreactivity in tumor cells showed no difference between diploid and aneuploid tumors. These findings indicate that aneuploidy is frequently associated with amplification of ERBB and ERBB2 genes.     

Analysis of Ki-ras gene mutations associated with DNA diploid, aneuploid, and multiploid colorectal carcinomas using a crypt isolation technique.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Current evidence suggests a possible relationship between DNA ploidy status and Ki-ras gene mutations in human cancers. However, the conventional method does not enable accurate determination of DNA ploidy status of a tumor cell. The present study attempts to clarify whether Ki-ras gene mutations are associated with DNA ploidy status in sporadic colorectal carcinomas using a crypt isolation technique coupled with DNA cytometric sorting. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction and single-strand conformation polymorphism and direct sequencing were used to analyze Ki-ras gene mutations in 82 sporadic colorectal carcinomas: 21 diploid, 12 aneuploid, and 49 multiploid. In addition, microsatellite instability (MSI) was assessed using seven microsatellite markers to study the relationship to Ki-ras mutations. RESULTS: Ki-ras mutations were found in 12 of 21 diploid carcinomas and in 8 of 12 aneuploid carcinomas. In contrast, Ki-ras gene mutations were detected infrequently in the 34 multiploid carcinomas examined, 8 of which were seen in diploid populations and 10 in aneuploid populations. On the other hand, Ki-ras gene mutations were inversely correlated with MSI, which was found in diploid carcinomas only. CONCLUSIONS: The low frequency of Ki-ras gene mutations that we observed in multiclonal colorectal carcinomas suggests that development of multiclonal colorectal carcinoma may involve a mechanism different from that involved in the development of diploid or aneuploid colorectal carcinomas.     

Proliferative characteristics of primary and metastatic human solid tumors by DNA flow cytometry

The percentage of cells in S-phase (S-index) was calculated from DNA histograms of 453 primary and metastatic human solid tumors (predominantly bladder, breast, colorectal, renal, prostate, ovarian and lung carcinomas, melanomas, and sarcomas). S-indices varied widely among both primary and metastatic tumors (1-48%); there was no significant difference in S-indices between primary and metastatic tumors. The S-indices for aneuploid tumors were significantly higher than for diploid tumors. When data for all aneuploid tumors were analyzed collectively, there was no significant relationship between S-index and DNA ploidy index. However, for colorectal and ovarian carcinomas S-indices increased, and for lung carcinomas S-indices decreased with elevation in the degree of DNA-ploidy. Lung carcinomas had the highest S-indices. Comparison of flow cytometry (FCM) and cytology data indicated that for most diploid tumors S-indices reflect the proportion of S-phase cells among a mixed population of normal and tumor cells. For most aneuploid tumors, the proportion of tumor cells estimated cytologically was similar to the proportion of aneuploid cells estimated by FCM. For a small proportion of aneuploid tumors a comparison of cytology and FCM data indicated the presence of a predominant diploid tumor stemline and a minor stemline with aneuploid DNA content. There was a wide spread in the values of S-indices within tumor groups defined by degree of differentiation and stage of disease at surgery.     

Flow cytometric DNA measurements in human thyroid tumors

By means of flow cytometry (FCM), DNA distribution pattern and the fraction of cells in the various phases of the cell cycle were studied in 52 samples of normal thyroid tissues, follicular adenomas, follicular carcinomas, medullary carcinoma and fibrosarcomas. In the normal thyroid tissues and follicular adenomas DNA diploid cell populations only were found. Among 20 follicular carcinomas in 13 cases (65%) together with the DNA diploid cells, DNA aneuploid cell lines were also observed. S-phase fraction in follicular adenomas is higher than in the normal thyroid tissues and lower than those in thyroid carcinomas. The percentage of S-phase cells in DNA aneuploid populations is significantly higher (S = 19 +/- 9.3%) than in the diploid cell lines (S = 3.7 +/- 2.6%). DNA aneuploid cell populations were predominantly observed in carcinomas with a high degree of morphological anaplasia.     

Flow cytometric analysis of DNA stemline heterogeneity in primary and metastatic breast cancer.

Flow cytometric DNA-ploidy analysis was used to investigate intratumor DNA stemline heterogeneity in primary breast carcinomas and lymph node metastases (LNM). The study was done in tumor specimens from 44 patients 35 of whom had LNM. In all, measurements were done in 214 different samples of primary tumors and 211 lymph nodes. Sixty-one percent (27/44) of the primary tumors were found to have multiple DNA aneuploid stemlines when the data of the separate samples per tumor (mean 4.9) were compared. Only five of 44 (11%) primary tumors were DNA diploid; two of these had DNA aneuploid metastases. Statistical analysis of these results indicated that, on average, four samples are needed for reliable determination of the DNA ploidy status of primary tumors by flow cytometry. In the majority of the cases (26/35), distinct tumor DNA stemlines found in LNM were also present in the primary tumor, which suggests that the generation of DNA ploidy diversity may have taken place prior to metastasis. Multiploidy was not related to tumor size but, particularly for LNM, was significantly correlated with age (r = 0.40, P = 0.02). The results of this study support the view that breast cancer is an extremely heterogeneous disease and that underestimation of this factor might account for the disagreement in literature about the prognostic value of DNA ploidy determinations.     

DNA ploidy and survival in breast cancer patients

Flow cytometric DNA ploidy measurements using frozen or deparaffinized tumor specimens were performed on 565 primary breast cancers from patients treated in the period 1975-1984. Twenty-nine percent of the cases were diploid, 61% had a single aneuploid stemline, and 10% were multiploid. Aneuploid tumors more often had negative estrogen receptor values than diploid tumors, but no significant correlation was found between ploidy class and TNM stage. Patients with more than ten positive axillary lymph nodes had predominantly aneuploid tumors. Overall and distant relapse-free survival were higher for patients with diploid tumors and low-aneuploid tumors. Stratification of the patients according to degree of lymph node involvement, TNM stage, and menopausal stage showed that the prognostic effect of aneuploidy was apparent predominantly in patients with locally advanced disease. Postmenopausal node-positive patients with diploid tumors had a significantly better prognosis than those with aneuploid tumors, but this difference was not found for the comparable premenopausal group. Multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model indicated that ploidy is an additional, independent prognostic factor in postmenopausal patients.     

Flow and image cytometry in thymic neoplasia: correlation with clinical outcome

OBJECTIVE: To compare nuclear DNA by flow (FCM) and image cytometry (ICM) in thymic neoplasms and to relate results to clinical outcome. STUDY DESIGN: DNA ploidy of 44 thymomas and 6 thymic carcinomas was studied by FCM and ICM of single nuclear suspensions from paraffin blocks. RESULTS: By FCM, 33 thymomas (75%) and one thymic carcinoma (17%) were diploid; 6 thymomas (14%) and 4 thymic carcinomas (67%) were aneuploid. By ICM, 36 thymomas (82%) were diploid; 7 thymomas (16%) and 6 thymic carcinomas (100%) were aneuploid. Mean follow-up in 44 cases was 46.2 months (range, 1-162). Ten patients with persistent/recurrent disease included four with thymic carcinoma, who died of the disease (two aneuploid by both techniques, two aneuploid by ICM with unsatisfactory/diploid FCM). Four had invasive thymoma and recurrence after 13-150 months (two diploid and two aneuploid by both methods), one had diploidy and noninvasive thymoma that recurred at 92 months, and one had an epithelial thymoma that recurred at 144 months (aneuploid by FCM, diploid by ICM). CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this preliminary, retrospective study show a high concordance between FCM and ICM; aneuploidy correlated with poor outcome by both methodologies. While these findings are encouraging, larger numbers of cases will be needed to define the role of FCM and ICM in predicting outcome in thymic tumors.     

Comparison of quantitative histomorphometry and DNA ploidy in tissue sections of prostate carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To examine the ability of quantitative histomorphometry to predict DNA ploidy of prostate carcinoma in biopsy tissue sections assigned after quantitation by nuclear digital image analysis. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-five diploid, 35 tetraploid and 35 aneuploid prostatic carcinomas in biopsies, assessed by the CAS 200 image analyzer (Bacus Laboratories, Lombard, Illinois, U.S.A.), were reevaluated by the Bacus Laboratories Incorporated Slide Scanner, a microscope that quantifies histologic images. Thirty-one histomorphometric features from cancer cells were captured at 40 x magnification, averaged across tilesfor each case and incorporated into a multivariate discriminant model to determine which features predicted ploidy interpretation by nuclear image analysis using the CAS 200. RESULTS: On average, 60 and 15 minutes were required to perform nuclear image analysis and histomorphometry, respectively. The multivariate discriminant model identified configurable run length, difference variance, contrast, inverse difference moment, sum entropy and diagonal variance as histomorphometry features capable of distinguishing diploid from nondiploid tumors (P < .05). Cross-validation studies showed the model correctly classified 74.3% of the diploid and 57.1% of the nondiploid cases. CONCLUSION: Quantitative histomorphometry can predict the ploidy of prostate carcinoma in biopsy tissue sections. Quantitative histomorphometry has potential as a method of rapidly assessing DNA ploidy otherwise earmarked for nuclear image analysis, resulting in savings of time and expense.     

Correlation of DNA ploidy with c-erbB-2 expression in preinvasive and invasive breast tumors.

Detection of c-erbB-2 oncogene product expression by monoclonal antibody staining (avidin-biotin technique) in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded atypical hyperplasias (AH, n = 20), intraductal carcinomas (IDCA, n = 27) and invasive carcinomas (INVCA, n = 48) was compared to ploidy determinations obtained by flow cytometry (INVCA) or image analysis (AH, IDCA). Cytoplasmic membrane staining was present in 11/48 (23%) INVCA and 8/27 (30%) IDCA but none of the AH. Tumors with abnormal DNA content expressed c-erbB-2 more frequently: INVCA, 2/19 (11%) diploid range versus 9/29 (31%) aneuploid; IDCA, 1/7 (14%) diploid range versus 7/20 (35%) aneuploid. Poorly differentiated (nuclear grade) IDCA or INVCA were also more frequently stained (14/35, 40%) than were well or moderately differentiated cases (5/40, 12.5%). Oncogene product expression and DNA content derangements may be related biologic parameters in breast neoplasia, and both are highly associated with cytologic nuclear abnormalities.     

Cytophotomeric DNA-analysis of aspirated cells from prostatic carcinoma.

In the present study material obtained from prostatic lesions by transrectal aspiration biopsy was subjected to a comparative morphologic and cytophotometric DNA analysis. Based on the morphologic pattern, the clinical material was divided into benign lesions (prostatic hyperplasia), suspected prostatic malignancy and highly, moderately and poorly differentiated prostatic carcinoma. The cytochemical analysis, based on quantitative cytophotometric measurements of Feulgen stained nuclei, showed that cell nuclei from benign lesions (prostatic hyperplasia) exhibited the normal diploid amount of DNA. Contrary to this, cell populations from prostatic malignancies, were characterized by various degrees of heteroploidy, i.e. the existence of cells with nuclear DNA quantities increased above the normal diploid level. A general correlation between degree of heteroploidy (frequency of heteroploid cells) and degree of clinical malignancy seemed to exist; high grade malignant prostatic carcinoma (poorly differentiated) exhibited a pronounced degree of heteroploidy with more or less distinct aneuploid stemlines, whereas low-grade prostatic carcinomas (highly differentiated) were more similar to benign cell populations, in showing a large proportion of cells with a diploid DNA quantity suggesting the existence of diploid or near diploid stemlines. Cases morphologically classified as moderately differentiated prostatic carcinoma, which previously have been shown to exhibit individual variations in degree of clinical malignancy, also showed large individual variations in degree of hetyroploidy. Approximately half of these cases had cytochemical DNA characteristics similar to that of highly differentiated prostatic carcinoma in showing a modal DNA value in the diploid region, while the other half showed cytochemical characteristics similar to that of poorly differentiated prostatic carcinoma, i.e. aneuploid DNA distributions. However, no morphologiifferentiated prostatic carcinoma. In conclusion it can be stated that the present investigation suggests the possibility that quantitative cytochemical DNA analysis may be used in combination with, and offer additional information to, morphologic analysis in the malignancy grading of prostatic carcinoma. A future clinical follow-up, now in progress, will hopefully give a more definite answer to that idea.     

DNA quantitation of distal bile duct carcinoma measured by image and flow cytometry

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate discrepancies between flow cytometry (FCM) and image cytometry (ICM), ploidy incidence and relation between DNA ploidies and survival in distal bile duct carcinomas (DBDCs). STUDY DESIGN: Forty-four archival tumor samples from patients with DBDC who underwent subtotal pancreatoduodenectomy from 1985 to 1996 were examined for DNA ploidy using FCM and ICM. RESULTS: Overall, 59% (26/44) of the tumors were aneuploid by at least one of the two techniques. We detected more cases of aneuploidy with ICM than FCM in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded DBDCs, 62% (21/34) versus 33% (13/40), respectively. When results could be compared, moderate strength of agreement (kappa = .45) was demonstrated. No correlation was found between DNA ploidy by FCM, ICM or combined FCM-ICM and survival time (P = .80, P = .35, and P = .54, respectively). CONCLUSION: Approximately 59% of DNA histograms contained aneuploid cell populations. Although ICM, as compared to FCM, is more sensitive in assessing the ploidy status of DBDC, both methods were complementary. Most discrepancies between FCM and ICM were due to the dilution of aneuploid populations by non-neoplastic diploid cells. DNA ploidy assessment in DBDC did not offer the possibility of improving the ability to predict survival.     

Cell cycle flow cytometric analysis in the diagnosis and management of colorectal carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To establish prognostic models and protocols for individualized management in colorectal carcinoma patients based on both clinical and DNA flow cytometric parameters. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study of 88 colon carcinoma patients with a minimum follow-up of 12 months, operated on with the intent to cure and not treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. All the cases were subjected to a clinical evaluation: age, sex, tumor localization and size, histologic grade, tumor stage, disease-free interval, survival and flow cytometric study (ploidy, DNA index and S-phase fraction [SPF]). RESULTS: From the total of 88 neoplasms studied, 56 (63.6%) were from males and 32 (36.4%) from females; 30 (34%) were located in the right side of the colon, 7 (8%) in the transverse colon and 51 (58%) in the left side of the colon. Eleven (12.5%) were stage I, 52 (59.1%) stage II and 25 (28%) stage III. Forty-two (47.7%) were diploid and 46 (52.3%) aneuploid. The S-phase mean was 14.6% (12% for diploids and 16.9% for aneuploids). During the follow-up period, 26.1% of diploid tumors recurred, whereas aneuploid tumors recurred in 36.9% (P < .05). SPF from diploid and aneuploid tumors was analyzed separately. CONCLUSION: Regarding relapse-free interval, the behavior of diploid tumors with a high SPF was similar to that of aneuploid ones. Two kinetic profiles were established, favorable (diploid tumors with low S phase) and unfavorable (diploid with high S phase and all aneuploid tumors), that had significant prognostic value for progression and survival and that allowed identification of patients at high risk of recurrence. We formulated a prognostic index according to SPF and tumor stage that has discriminatory capacity for biologic behavior in colorectal tumors.     

Relationship between cytogenetic aberrations by CGH coupled with tissue microdissection and DNA ploidy by laser scanning cytometry in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The relationship between DNA sequence copy number aberrations (DSCNAs) and DNA ploidy in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) is still controversial. Materials and Methods We analyzed DSCNAs by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) combined with microdissection and DNA ploidy by laser scanning cytometry (LSC) in 18 surgically removed HNSCCs and compared the data. RESULTS: Copy number increases were most frequently observed on chromosomes 3q (16 cases), 8q (13 cases), and 12p (11 cases). Copy number decreases were observed on chromosome 3p (14 cases). LSC revealed DNA aneuploidy in 10 of the 18 cases. All DNA aneuploid tumors exhibited gain or amplification of DNA copy number at 12p11-12.1, whereas gain of DNA copy number was found in only 1 of 8 diploid tumors. DSCNAs were more frequent in DNA aneuploid tumors than in diploid tumors (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The present observations indicate a close relationship between DSCNAs and DNA ploidy in HNSCCs.     

Flow cytometric study of DNA distribution in cytopunctures of benign and malignant breast lesions

One hundred seventy-eight cytopunctures of mammary lesions were obtained for cytologic diagnosis and flow cytometric (FCM) analysis of the nuclear DNA content. All lesions were excised and evaluated histologically; 106 were carcinomas and 72 were benign lesions. The benign lesions showed a diploid DNA content, with one exception. Among the 106 carcinomas, 35 (33%) were diploid, 14 (13%) were tetraploid and 57 (54%) were aneuploid. For 79 carcinomas, the relationship between ploidy and (1) "T" and "N" of TNM staging, (2) the histologic grading of Scarff, Bloom and Richardson, (3) axillary nodal involvement, (4) the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors, (5) age and (6) menopausal status was investigated. The percentage of aneuploidy was significantly higher (P less than .05) in grade III tumors as compared to grade I tumors. There was no significant relationship between aneuploidy and the other factors. However, a trend was observed between the lack of steroid receptors and a high probability of the tumor being aneuploid. FCM DNA analysis was also carried out on breast carcinomas obtained at surgery in 40 patients for whom FCM DNA analysis had previously been performed on breast cytopuncture specimens. The FCM DNA analyses were found to be best performed on the samples obtained by cytopuncture, which may increase the yield of tumor cells.     

Flow cytometry of lung carcinoma: a comparison of DNA stemline and cell cycle distribution with histology

Flow cytometry studies of the DNA distribution of 33 lung tumors were carried out. All of the carcinomas (32 cases) had aneuploid DNA modal values, ranging from 2.15c to 5.05c; in the single case of carcinoid studied, the tumor cells were diploid. DNA ploidy levels tended to be higher for epidermoid than adenocarcinoma; they were the same in lymph node metastases as in the primary tumor. Cell cycle distributions calculated from the tumor cell DNA values showed considerable variation, ranging from 9% to 58% for the S phase and from less than 1% to 29% for the G2M phase. Whether these variations have clinical significance is not known at this time.