Prognostic significance of DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction in malignant serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prognostic value of DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction in malignant serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary.


METHODS
Flow cytometric analysis of nuclear DNA content was performed on paraffin-embedded tissues of 31 serous cystadenocarcinomas of the ovary. DNA ploidy, DNA index and S-phase fraction were determined without knowing the final outcome in the patients.


RESULTS
Histograms in 14 (46%) cases were aneuploid, whereas 17 (54%) were diploid. Aneuploidy was more frequent at the advanced stages of the disease as well as in the poorly differentiated histologic types. However, ploidy had a prognostic influence: both the disease-free survival and overall survival were better in diploid than aneuploid tumors at early and advanced stages. S-phase fraction (SPF) could be correctly assessed in 19 cases (62%) and was > 15% in 21% (4 cases). The survival of those patients, however, was not significantly different from that of those with SPF < 15%.


CONCLUSIONS
If used as an adjunct, DNA ploidy is of value in predicting tumor behavior, response to chemotherapy and disease recurrence.
Bakshi
N
N
Department of Cytology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Rajwanshi
A
A
Patel
F
F
Ganguly
N K
NK
D000328:Adult; D018284:Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D011003:Ploidies; D011379:Prognosis; D016196:S Phase / Q000235:genetics*
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm