The relation of radiosensitivity of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma to DNA ploidy.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the radiosensitivity of T1, N0, M0 squamous cell carcinomas of the hypopharynx treated solely with external beam radiation.


METHODS
Nuclear DNA content and cell cycle kinetics of 29 archival paraffin-embedded specimens suitable for interpretation were analyzed with an ELITE flow cytometer (Coulter Diagnostics, Opa Locka, FL).


RESULTS
In the radiosensitive group with no evidence of disease for 36 months, 86% of the tumors were diploid and 14% were aneuploid. The mean DNA index for this group was 1.02. In the radioresistant group, with recurrence within 36 months, 80% of the tumors were aneuploid, and 20% were diploid. The mean DNA index for this group was 1.32.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings could have clinical significance because if aneuploidy occurs in an early hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, the clinician might select surgical resection over radiation therapy.
Monasebian
D M
DM
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198-3010, USA.
Ruskin
J D
JD
D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010315:Particle Accelerators; D011003:Ploidies; D011836:Radiation Tolerance
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm