DNA quantification as a prognostic factor in gastric adenocarcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if DNA quantification, studied in cytologic samples obtained by fiberendoscopy, has predictive value in gastric adenocarcinoma. The survival times of patients in whom the tumor was the cause of death were considered variables of interest.


METHODS
Twenty-nine patients with gastric cancer, diagnosed by cytology, endoscopy and microbiopsy, were selected. The study was done over more than 10 years. Smears were stained with progressive hematoxylin and processed by computer for DNA evaluation by image cytometry.


RESULTS
Four different types of histograms that directly relate to tumoral malignancy were obtained. These histograms were characterized by the value of entropy. We established four grades of aggressiveness. Then we obtained two large groups: high and low grade of malignancy. We studied the survival times in both groups and constructed a Kaplan-Meier survival curve for the high grade of malignancy group. We confirmed the results statistically and found that there was a significant relationship, with P < .05.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of DNA quantification by image cytometry is strongly advised in daily surgery as a prognostic indicator of survival time in gastric adenocarcinoma patients.
Azúa
J
J
Department of Morphologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Spain.
Romeo
P
P
Morales
M
M
Castiella
T
T
Azúa
J
J
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality; D016019:Survival Analysis
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm