Flow-cytometric DNA content analysis of oesophageal carcinoma. Comparison between tumour and sequential non-tumour mucosae.
The DNA content in oesophageal carcinoma and in sequential non-tumour mucosa was evaluated in 35 patients with oesophageal carcinoma, to explore the hypotheses that DNA distribution pattern and S-phase fraction can reflect malignant potential and that DNA aneuploidy can provide an early-warning signal of developing cancer. DNA flow cytometry was performed on 129 specimens from the tumours and on 119 specimens from non-tumour mucosa. Control specimens from gastric fundus had normal diploid DNA content and low S-phase fraction. Aneuploidy was found in 94.3% of the carcinoma specimens and intratumoral heterogeneity in 54.3%. Of the non-tumour specimens, 43.7% showed aneuploidy and none multiple aneuploidy. Pattern III distribution was present in 8.6% of the tumour specimens but not in non-tumour mucosa, where the incidence of aneuploidy rose with closeness to the tumour (p < 0.001). S-phase fraction was smaller in non-tumour than in tumour specimens (p < 0.0001). The study indicated that histologically tumour-free oesophageal mucosa may have a high malignant potential in patients with oesophageal carcinoma. The relative instability of such mucosa, with aneuploid cells and low S-phase fraction, may facilitate transition to abnormally proliferating cells in response to environmental signals. Cigarette smoking and alcohol may increase the risk of multicentric cancer development.
Wang
L S
LS
Department of Surgery, Veterans' General Hospital, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Wu
L H
LH
Chang
C J
CJ
Li
W Y
WY
Fahn
H J
HJ
Huang
M H
MH
Chiu
J H
JH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016629:Esophagectomy; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011003:Ploidies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm