DNA content in fresh versus paraffin-embedded tissue. Flow cytometric analysis of 100 tumors.
DNA ploidy analysis was determined on 100 consecutive tumors from a wide variety of sites using both fresh and paraffin-embedded tissue on the same specimen. The correlation coefficient (r) value between the methods was 0.85. Aneuploidy was detected by both methods in 51/100 (51%) of the cases. Fresh tissue analysis yielded 10 additional cases (overall 61% aneuploidy) not detected on corresponding paraffin-embedded sections, whereas paraffin-embedded analysis detected 4 additional cases (overall 55% aneuploidy) not revealed by fresh tissue analysis. Fresh tissue analysis produced lower coefficients of variation and resulted in a cleaner preparation with less cellular debris. Fresh tissue analysis was also superior to paraffin for the detection of hypodiploid, near-diploid and multiple peaks. Analysis of paraffin-embedded material allows examination of archival tissue and provides a more rapid means of long-term follow-up and statistical correlations for prognostic studies. Although the overall correlation of both methodologies for DNA analysis showed a minimal variation in results, in our experience fresh tissue analysis has an advantage and is preferable, when available, for ploidy analysis.
Krause
J R
JR
Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania.
Blank
M K
MK
D002469:Cell Separation; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D011003:Ploidies; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm