Prognostic value of DNA flow cytometry in sympathoadrenal paragangliomas.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether ploidy patterns are related to prognosis in sympathoadrenal paragangliomas (SAP) using flow cytometry.


METHODS
DNA flow cytometric analysis of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor samples from 36 patients with SAP was performed. Eight cases fulfilled at least one of the following malignancy criteria: (1) extensive invasion of adjacent structures (5 cases), (2) local recurrence (3 cases), or (3) metastases (4 cases).


RESULTS
Of the 36 tumors, 22 (61%) showed nondiploid patterns (12 aneuploid, 10 tetraploid). All diploid tumors were benign, while all malignant cases showed nondiploid patterns (P = .0131). The differences between diploid and aneuploid tumors and between diploid and tetraploid tumors, with regard to the malignancy of the disease, were statistically significant (P = .03311 and .01976, respectively). Only one malignant tumor had a DNA index < 1.75 (P = .00259).


CONCLUSIONS
Anomalous DNA ploidy patterns are frequent in SAP, without necessarily implying malignancy. However, diploid DNA content may be a marker of a good prognosis. The likelihood of malignancy is greater in the tetraploid and peritetraploid range.
García-Escudero
A
A
Department of Pathology, University Hospital Virgen Macarena, Seville, Spain.
de Miguel-Rodríguez
M
M
Moreno-Fernández
A
A
Navarro-Bustos
G
G
Galera-Ruiz
H
H
Galera-Davidson
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000782:Aneuploidy; D002648:Child; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm