Cytophotometric DNA content and argyrophilic nucleolar organiser regions of oesophageal carcinoma

Abstract

The cytophotometric DNA content and the argyrophilic nucleolar organiser regions (AgNORs) of biopsy specimens taken before undergoing any treatment were examined in 91 surgically treated oesophageal carcinoma cases. There was a significant linear dependence between the mean DNA content and the number of AgNOR per nucleus (AgNOR number) (r = 0.615, P < 0.001). The DNA distribution pattern and the range of the AgNOR number also showed a significant correlation (P < 0.01). Twenty three of 28 cases with a low AgNOR number (< 4) were then determined to have a diploid pattern (type II), while 17 out of 22 cases with a high AgNOR number (> or = 6) had high ploidy values (type IV). The patients with a type II DNA distribution pattern and a low AgNOR number thus showed a good post-operative course with a 5 year survival rate of 55.2%, whereas no patients survived over 4 years among the 17 cases with both a type IV DNA pattern and a high AgNOR number (P < 0.001). These data thus demonstrate the close relationship between cytophotometric DNA content and AgNOR number and suggest that the combined detection of these two parameters, using biopsy specimens, should be of benefit in making an accurate preoperative evaluation of prognosis for patients with oesophageal carcinoma.