Flow cytofluorometric analysis of serial biopsies of tumours of the uterine cervix

Abstract

The technique of flow cytofluorometry has been employed to assess, by means of cell suspensions prepared from serial biopsies, the radioresponsiveness of tumours of the uterine cervix. This enables DNA profiles and content of proliferating cells to be determined prior to treatment and during external beam and intracavitary therapy. Results show that elimination of hyperdiploid and hypertetraploid cells and reduction in the proliferating fraction of cells can readily be monitored by this method during therapy. This information, quickly available during treatment, may assist in estimating radioresponsiveness of the tumour and possible prognosis for the patient. Dose fractionation schedules may also be adjusted according to tumour response to therapy. Our results, however, show no relationship between histopathological classification of a tumour (WHO) and its ploidy state. The advanced stages of the disease (II and III) do, however, show an increased content of hypertetraploid cells in the tumour biopsies.