The application of flow cytometric DNA analysis in detecting the presence of malignant cells in ovarian carcinoma peritoneal fluids.
OBJECTIVE
To compare flow cytometric detection of malignant cells with standard cytological evaluation in patients with ovarian carcinoma.


METHODS
The City Hospital Trust, The Women's Hospital and CRC Trials Unit, Birmingham.


METHODS
Forty-three patients with histologically proven ovarian carcinoma and positive cytology, and a control population of 20 patients undergoing surgery for benign gynaecological conditions.


METHODS
Prospective, blinded study examining ascitic fluid or peritoneal washings obtained at primary surgery by flow cytometric DNA analysis and cytological examination.


RESULTS
Flow cytometry detected aneuploid cells in 27/43 (63%) of malignant and 7/20 (35%) of benign fluid specimens. In malignant samples the mean aneuploid count was 38.5% (range 1-98%) with a mean S-phase fraction of 5.2% (range 0-33.9%). In benign specimens the mean aneuploid count was 30.4% (range 14.5-66.4%). Based on these results, the overall sensitivity of cytometric detection of malignant cells was 71.4%, specificity 65%, with a positive predictive value of 85.1%. False positivity was found mainly in patients with benign ovarian cysts. Further examination revealed four false negative and four false positive results, where the peritoneal fluid and ovarian tissue DNA ploidy status concurred. Assuming such results to be correct increased the sensitivity of the test to 88.5% and specificity to 85%.


CONCLUSIONS
Although flow cytometry can glean information beyond the capabilities of cytological assessment, using the premise that aneuploid cells alone indicate malignancy, it remains secondary to cytology in the detection of malignant cells in peritoneal fluids.
Kehoe
S
S
Cancer Research Campaign, University of Birmingham, UK.
Ward
K
K
Luesley
D
D
Chan
K K
KK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000782:Aneuploidy; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011003:Ploidies; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm