Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) ploidy and proliferative characteristics of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma determined by flow cytometric analysis.
BACKGROUND
The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) index and the proliferative index (the fraction of cells in the S phase) can be independent prognostic indicators of the biologic aggressiveness of certain malignant neoplasms.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the DNA index or proliferative index could predict metastases in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.


METHODS
Nineteen different metastases from 15 patients with primary cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were reviewed, graded, and had DNA proliferative indexing performed by fluorescent activated cytometry. A control group of 13 patients with primary cutaneous SCC without metastases were studied in a similar manner.


RESULTS
No significant difference between the metastatic and the nonmetastatic SCC groups for either DNA index or proliferative index (non-paired t-test) was observed. No correlative association with histologic grading with DNA index or proliferative index was observed for either group.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that aneuploidy and S-phase fraction by fluorescent activated cytometry are not significant predictors of potential metastases in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
Pappas
A A
AA
Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
Maners
A W
AW
Owens
R B
RB
Thompson
J R
JR
King
J C
JC
Dinehart
S M
SM
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002455:Cell Division; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D011003:Ploidies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm