Methodological aspects of flow cytometry DNA analysis in endometrial carcinoma, with special reference to sampling and reproducibility.
Two adjacent paraffin-embedded sections manifested concordance in ploidy status in 96% of cases (45/47), and the standard deviation (SD) for SPF was 2.7%. Analysis of 'micro-heterogeneity', within a distance of < or = 700 microm, yielded results for concordant ploidy status in 94% of cases, and the SD for SPF was 1.9% (n = 17). Frozen and paraffin-embedded material yielded concordant results for ploidy status in 87% (39/45) of cases, and SPF values were significantly lower (mean difference 1.5%) in the frozen samples. Diagnostic and repeat curettage material yielded concordant results for DNA ploidy status in 85% (40/47) of cases, and no significant difference in mean SPF (12% vs. 11%) was found. Discordant DNA ploidy results were attributable to small differences in the DNA histograms influencing the interpretation of near-diploid, near-tetraploid and small non-diploid cell populations, and the influence of debris on SPF estimation. On the basis of our findings and the practical advantage we recommend paraffin-embedded material from diagnostic curettage for FCM DNA analysis; the results are available sooner and the handling and transportation of tumor samples is more convenient.
Gudmundsson
T E
TE
Department of Oncology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Långström
E
E
Alm
P
P
Anderson
H
H
Baldetorp
B
B
Fernö
M
M
Högberg
T
T
Killander
D
D
D015925:Cryopreservation; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D004107:Dilatation and Curettage; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D005629:Frozen Sections; D006801:Humans; D010232:Paraffin; D011003:Ploidies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D010232:Paraffin