title: Prognostic value of DNA flow cytometry in thymomas and thymic carcinomas.
abstract: Thymomas are the most common anterior mediastinal masses. Malignant potential and prognosis are unrelated to histologic appearance. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) flow cytometry is of prognostic significance in a variety of tumors. We reviewed the records of 35 patients who on pathologic examination had a thymoma or thymic carcinoma. Flow cytometric studies, including DNA indices (ploidy) and S phase fraction, were done on paraffin block specimens from 31 patients. We believe this is the first report of DNA flow cytometric studies in thymic pathology. Mean survival was 63.5 +/- 13.3 months for patients with benign thymomas, 10.5 +/- 4.6 months for patients with malignant thymomas, and 19.3 +/- 4.1 months for patients with thymic carcinomas. Patients with benign thymomas lived significantly longer than those with malignant thymomas (P = .001) and thymic carcinomas (P = .03). DNA flow cytometry demonstrated four aneuploid tumors (two benign thymomas and two malignant thymomas). All thymic carcinomas were diploid. There was no statistically significant difference among the groups. The mean S phase fraction was 15.22% for benign thymomas, 11.15% for malignant thymomas, and 14.31% for thymic carcinomas. No statistically significant difference was found among the groups. We conclude that flow cytometry is not a useful guide to malignant potential or prognosis in thymomas and thymic carcinomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans, La. 70121.
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Sauter
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sardi
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Hollier
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Bolton
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D004171:Diploidy; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013945:Thymoma / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm