[DNA ploidy pattern of flow cytometry as indicator of degrees of malignancy and prognosis in colorectal cancers]

Abstract

Cellular DNA content of primary colorectal cancers was measured by flow cytometry and investigated on clinico-pathological features to elucidate the relationship between DNA ploidy patterns and outcomes. IN 144 colorectal carcinomas, DNA diploid carcinomas accounted for 23% and DNA aneuploid carcinomas for 77%. NO significant difference was observed between DNA ploidy pattern and tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis or lympangial invasion. DNA aneuploid tumor had a tendency to invade vein and to lead to hematogenic metastasis. Patients with DNA aneuploid tumor showed a significantly poor disease-free and overall survival rate. Significantly increased incidence of hematogenic recurrence was demonstrated in the DNA aneuploid cases. These results suggest that the DNA ploidy pattern of colorectal cancers may prove to be of prognostic value.