Flow cytometric analysis of DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction of Stage IIIB cervical carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of flow cytometry-measured DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction as survival prognostic indicators in women with FIGO Stage IIIB squamous cell carcinoma of cervix.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical and pathological records of women with Stage IIIB squamous cell cervical carcinoma treated between 1993 and 1996. Flow cytometric analysis of DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction was performed by the modified Hedley technique using paraffin-embedded tissue. Survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis.


RESULTS
Of the 75 cases, 66 were analyzable. Diploid tumors were found in 73%. The mean S-phase fraction was 14% (SD = 5.4). The overall 5-year survival rate was 60%. The survival of patients with aneuploidy tumors was significantly worse than that of the diploid tumors (p = 0.001). The survival of the patients who had S-phase fraction > 12% was significantly worse than those who had S-phase fraction < or =12% (p = 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
In this homogeneous study population, we found that aneuploidy and S-phase fraction >12% correlated with poor survival. Identifying this poor prognostic group would be of benefit in considering additional treatment for a better outcome.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
S
S
Wilailak
M
M
Rochanawutanon
S
S
Srisupundit
A
A
Aumkhyan
K
K
Pattanapanyasat
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000782:Aneuploidy; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011003:Ploidies; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016196:S Phase; D015996:Survival Rate; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm