DNA quantification as a prognostic factor in colorectal adenocarcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if DNA quantification, studied in cytologic samples obtained by fiberendoscopy, has predictive value in colorectal adenocarcinoma.


METHODS
Thirty patients with colorectal cancer diagnosed by cytology, endoscopy and microbiopsy, were selected. The study covered > 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 related to malignancy were obtained. These histograms were characterized by the value of entropy, and we established four grades of aggressiveness. Finally, we obtained two large groups: high and low grade of malignancy. We studied the survival times in both groups and used a Kaplan-Meier survival curve for the high grade group. We confirmed the results statistically and found that there was a significant relationship, with P < .05.


CONCLUSIONS
We strongly advise the use of DNA quantification by image cytometry in daily surgery as a prognostic indicator of survival time in colorectal cancer.
Azúa
J
J
Department of Morphologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Spain. javier.azua@posta.unizar.es
Romeo
P
P
Morales
M
M
Castiella
T
T
Azúa
J
J
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D019044:Image Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm