title: Deoxyribonucleic acid content as an indicator of progression of squamous cell carcinogenesis in the esophagus: comparative analysis on imprint-cytospin and tissue section preparation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to explore the potential use of image analysis on tissue sections preparation as a predictive marker of early malignant changes during squamous cell (SC) carcinogenesis in the esophagus. Results of DNA ploidy quantification on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue using two different techniques were compared: imprint-cytospin and 6 microm thick tissue sections preparation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study included 26 surgical specimens of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) from patients who underwent surgery alone at the Department of Surgery in CHUV Hospital in Lausanne between January 1993 and December 2000. We analyzed 53 samples of healthy tissue, 43 tumors and 7 lymph node metastases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Diploid DNA histogram patterns were observed in all histologically healthy tissues, either distant or proximal to the lesion. Aneuploidy was observed in 34 (79%) of 43 carcinomas, namely 24 (75%) of 32 early squamous cell carcinomas and 10 (91%) of 11 advanced carcinomas. DNA content was similar in the different tumor stages, whether patients presented with single or multiple synchronous tumors. All lymph node metastases had similar DNA content as their primary tumor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early malignant changes in the esophagus are associated with alteration in DNA content, and aneuploidy tends to correlate with progression of invasive SCC. A very good correlation between imprint-cytospin and tissue section analysis was observed. Although each method used here showed advantages and disadvantages; tissue sections preparation provided useful information on aberrant cell-cycle regulation and helped select the optimal treatment for the individual patient along with consideration of other clinical parameters.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, University of Lausanne, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. snezana.andrejevic@chuv.ch
authors.forename: Snezana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andrejevic-Blant
authors.forename: Maria-Chiara
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Osterheld
authors.forename: Liette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Caron
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ballini
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Monnier
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D018450:Disease Progression; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D004247:DNA