Prognostic significance of DNA cytometry in thymoma.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this work was to evaluate the prognostic significance of DNA image cytometry in thymoma.


METHODS
Image cytometric studies with an automatic video-based analysis system (LEYTAS) were carried out on 47 archival specimens from 36 patients with thymomas who underwent operation at a single institution from 1954 to 1992. The significance of aneuploidy DNA-content (5c-exceeding events), and nuclear size on stage and survival were evaluated. The median follow-up was 52.7 (6-164) months.


RESULTS
Masaoka's stage was predictive of aneuploidy (P < 0.01) and disease-free survival (P < 0.015). In stage I 18% of the tumors were aneuploid, in stage II 78%, in stage III 85% and in stage IV 100%. The occurrence of 5c-exceeding events was associated with both decreased disease-free survival (P < 0.01) and overall survival (P = 0.013). Nuclear size was not significantly correlated to stage. Under multivariate analysis, aneuploidy and DNA content failed to attain independent significance for stage, performance status, and histology.


CONCLUSIONS
DNA image cytometry may provide additional information about the prognosis of resected thymoma.
Gripp
S
S
Department of Radiation Oncology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany. stephan.gripp@uni-duesseldorf.de
Hilgers
K
K
Ploem-Zaaijer
J J
JJ
Hartmann
A
A
Schmitt
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000782:Aneuploidy; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D019044:Image Cytometry / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013945:Thymoma / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology*; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology*
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm