[DNA content of gastric mucosal epithelium in various diseases]

Abstract

Evaluation of DNA content in superficial epithelial cells of gastric mucosa by gastrobiopsy using the flow-through cytophotometric method revealed some differences in the distribution of DNA values in benign and carcinoma cases. The polymorphism of epithelial cells in benign gastric disorders is accompanied, as a rule, by an increase in the amount of cells in S and G2 + M phases of the cell cycle. In the cases with epithelial cell atypia, a small peak in the hypertetraploid range is often seen and DNA-histograms are identical with those in carcinoma of the stomach. Malignant specimens usually have an increased 3n and 4n DNA level and an obvious third peak at the hypertetraploid level. Different forms of carcinoma (adenocarcinoma and undifferentiated form) have their own distinguishing features in DNA content distribution.