Prognostic impact of ploidy level in carcinoma of the cervix

Abstract

The single cell DNA content was analyzed by use of flow cytometry in cervical carcinoma. The study included 171 patients, Stages Ib-III. The ploidy level was calculated as a DNA index by comparison with diploid lymphocytes. Accordingly, the tumors were divided into two groups with DNA index below and above 1.5. This division proved to be important to the recurrence frequency. In all stages investigated, a statistically significant higher recurrence frequency was found in the group with DNA index above 1.5. The same relation applied concerning the survival. It is concluded that the DNA distribution is an important prognostic factor in cervical carcinoma.