DNA content in radiation-associated thyroid cancer.
DNA content has been reported to be of prognostic significance in differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Since malignant tumors with irradiation as an initiator often contain DNA aberrations, the DNA content of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma in patients with a prior history of low-dose head and neck irradiation was determined and compared with similar nonradiation-associated lesions. The DNA content of thyroid cancers from 53 patients was determined with use of flow cytometry. Sixteen radiation-associated thyroid carcinomas (11 papillary, 3 follicular, and 2 medullary) all were diploid. In a group of 37 nonradiation-associated tumors, 10 were aneuploid (10 of 29 papillary carcinomas and 0 of 2 follicular or 6 medullary carcinomas). This difference in DNA content is significant (p less than 0.02, Fisher's exact test). These findings were unexpected and suggest that if the initiating irradiation causes a DNA aberration, this aberration is not reflected in DNA content as measured by means of flow cytometry.
Komorowski
R A
RA
Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Deaconson
T F
TF
Vetsch
R
R
Cerletty
J M
JM
Wilson
S D
SD
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D000328:Adult; D000782:Aneuploidy; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy
D004247:DNA