title: Flow-cytometric DNA analysis as a means for early detection of malignancy in patients with chronic ulcerative colitis.
abstract: A new approach to the problem of monitoring patients with chronic ulcerative colitis is presented and discussed in connection with a case report. When annual colonoscopies are performed, biopsies are taken for histopathological examination and DNA measurements are made using flow-cytometric techniques (FCM). Using the latter approach, gross chromosomal aberrations indicating malignant transformation in a cell population may be detected. In a 46 year old man with a long history of ulcerative colitis, an area with slight mucosal dysplasia at light microscopy was accompanied by two aneuploid cells lines - that is, colonic mucosa cells with an abnormal amount of DNA in the nuclei. An operation one year later revealed a 5 X 2 mm large adenocarcinoma in the corresponding area of the colon. We suggest that flow-cytometric techniques can be used as a complement to already practised methods for monitoring the colorectal mucosa in colitic patients for the early detection of malignancy.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000032:analysis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000150:complications*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm