DNA content by flow cytometry in gastric carcinoma: pathology, ploidy and prognosis.
OBJECTIVE
The prognostic relevance of histopathologic findings in gastric carcinoma is well established. Studies on DNA-ploidy are still scanty and contradictory.


METHODS
Histopathologic parameters, DNA ploidy and S-phase were evaluated in 78 cancer patients curatively resected, using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue.


RESULTS
Thirty-nine tumors (50%) were aneuploid. No significant correlation was found between histologic data and ploidy, but tumors with nodal involvement were more frequently aneuploid. In univariate analysis, tumor location (p=0.05), tumor size (p=0.01), differentiation grade (p=0.02), Lauren classification (p=0.01), deeper infiltration of gastric wall (p=0.001), nodal affectation (p=0.0000) and number of lymph nodes (p=0.01), TNM stage (p=0.0000), type of gastrectomy performed (p=0.04), and DNA ploidy (p=0.04) significantly influenced survival. S-phase values had no effect on prognosis. In the multiple regression model, factors independently associated with survival were TNM stage (p=0.0009), nodal affectation (p=0.01) and, marginally, ploidy (p=0.08).


CONCLUSIONS
In gastric carcinoma curatively resected, the more relevant prognostic factors were stage and nodal involvement. Fifty percent of the tumors were aneuploid. Aneuploidy was significantly associated with poorer prognosis.
Esteban
F
F
Hospital Universitario San Carlos, Department of Surgery, Madrid, Spain.
de Vega
D S
DS
Garcia
R
R
Rodriguez
R
R
Manzanares
J
J
Almeida
A
A
Tamames
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000782:Aneuploidy; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005743:Gastrectomy; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011003:Ploidies; D011379:Prognosis; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D015996:Survival Rate
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm