Significance of DNA ploidy in the treatment of T1 glottic carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the role of DNA ploidy as a predictor of radioresistance in T1 glottic carcinoma.


METHODS
Case-control study. Flow cytometric DNA ploidy measurements were performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor specimens from 15 patients with T1 glottic laryngeal carcinomas in whom radiotherapy had failed and from a matched group of 15 patients in whom an identical radiotherapy regimen was curative. Analysis of DNA content was performed blind to outcome of treatment.


METHODS
Academic tertiary referral medical center.


METHODS
Thirty patients with clinically staged T1, N0, M0 glottic carcinoma.


METHODS
All patients received radiation to the larynx through opposed lateral ports at a total dose of 64 to 70 Gy.


RESULTS
Ten diploid and five aneuploid histograms were found in the resistant group, and six diploid and nine aneuploid histograms were found in the radiosensitive group. This difference was not statistically significant. A trend toward a higher relapse rate after radiotherapy (62.5%) among patients with diploid tumor compared with those with aneuploid tumor (35.7%) was noted.


CONCLUSIONS
DNA ploidy did not predict response to radiotherapy in patients with T1 glottic cancer, probably because of the small number of patients. A trend toward lower risk of local recurrence after radiotherapy in aneuploid tumors was noted. A larger prospective study is needed to assess the value of DNA ploidy in the treatment of early laryngeal cancer.
Stern
Y
Y
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beilinson Medical Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel.
Aronson
M
M
Shpitzer
T
T
Nativ
O
O
Medalia
O
O
Segal
K
K
Feinmesser
R
R
D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005931:Glottis; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011003:Ploidies; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm