DNA ploidy and cytonuclear area of peritumoral and paratumoral samples of mastectomy specimens: a useful prognostic marker?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate a possible relationship between DNA alterations in the "normal" residual mammary tissue of patients with breast cancer and survival.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
University hospital, Spain.


METHODS
162 patients operated on for breast cancer between 1991 and 1995.


METHODS
Cytology, histopathology, optic karyometry, DNA ploidy, and S-phase fraction measured by flow cytometry in peritumoral and paratumoral tissue. Mortality, and univariate analysis.


RESULTS
DNA ploidy in peritumoral tissue was altered in 42 patients (26%), in 41 of whom the mean cytonuclear area was also altered. Of the 19 patients whose death within the study period was attributed to their cancer, 13 had peritumoral tissue in which both DNA ploidy and mean cytonuclear area were altered. On univariate analysis, there was significantly worse survival among the patients in whom both tumoral and peritumoral tissues were DNA aneuploid than among those in whom only tumoural tissue was DNA aneuploid (p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of peritumoral or paratumoral tissue or both, with anomalous DNA content is associated with a reduced survival among women whose breast cancer has been treated by mastectomy. Additional studies including multivariate analysis are necessary to confirm our findings.
Chávez-Uribe
Elisabeth M
EM
Department of Surgery, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Santiago de Compostela, Spain. LIS@grupobbva.net
Viñuela
Juan E
JE
Cameselle-Teijeiro
José
J
Forteza
Jerónimo
J
Puñal
José A
JA
Otero
José L
JL
Puente-Dominguez
José L
JL
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007620:Karyometry; D015411:Mastectomy, Modified Radical; D008875:Middle Aged; D011003:Ploidies; D011379:Prognosis; D013048:Specimen Handling; D016019:Survival Analysis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm