title: Cytometric evidence of cytogenetic and proliferative heterogeneity of human solid tumors.
abstract: Flow cytometry is a widely recognized method of rapidly assessing the ploidy and proliferation status of experimental and solid tumors. In the present work, a variety of human cancers from various sites (lung, head and neck, etc.), of traditional interest in our laboratory, have been analyzed. In agreement with a number of recent reports, a general heterogeneity of human solid tumors can be evidenced. In particular: (a) solid tumors are characterized by a variable degree of aneuploidy; (b) the internal structure of solid tumors is highly heterogeneous especially with respect to the fraction of aneuploid malignant cells and their distribution through the cycle phases; and (c) some solid tumors are also characterized by the presence, to a variable extent, in the tumor of mass of multiple cell clones. Static fluorimetry of Feulgen-stained (mitotic) single cells offers a way to confirm this kind of observations.
mesh_terms: D000782:Aneuploidy; D002455:Cell Division; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D008938:Mitosis
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm