Flow cytometric DNA analysis of primary cutaneous malignant melanoma.
DNA-ploidy of primary malignant melanoma was retrospectively compared by flow cytometry with sections of paraffin-embedded blocks, among tumours at different histopathological stages (levels) and among tumours and their peripheral lesion. In none of 10 melanomas at levels I-II or 10 melanocytic nevi was an aberrant DNA pattern found. In contrast, 8 of 18 melanomas at levels III-V including 6 of 9 melanomas at level V, showed a non-diploid (aneuploid) DNA pattern. However, even in these non-diploid melanomas the peripheral area showed a diploid pattern where tumour cell invasion was slight, similar to the level I-II melanomas. These results indicate that DNA-aneuploidy in melanoma is closely associated with the lesional advancement, and reflect a poor prognosis for patients with melanoma at level III or higher.
Department of Dermatology, Gunma University School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan.
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Ohnishi
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Ishikawa
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000235:genetics; D011003:Ploidies; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm