Ploidy study in oral carcinomas: use of improved methodology to assess its clinical prognostic value.
OBJECTIVE
This study reports a ploidy analysis in oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) using methodologic adjustments to improve the accuracy of the measurements and derive numeric indices of aggressiveness of prognostic value.


METHODS
Sixty-seven SCC were assessed by DNA image cytometry in the areas of the histologic sections with most atypia. Five indices of aggressiveness were analyzed in relation to the clinical-pathologic data and evolution of the patients.


RESULTS
The mean value of the index of deviation from the diploid value (2cDi) and malignancy index (Mi), taken as a cut-off value, defined 2 populations with statistically significant differences in survival. In patients with tumors in clinical stages III and IV (TNM classification), the Mi also exhibited prognostic value.


CONCLUSIONS
The 2cDi and Mi can be used, under certain methodologic conditions, as an objective indicator of prognostic value of the degree of aggressiveness of oral SCC.
Brandizzi
Daniel
D
Department of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. brandizzi@cnea.gov.ar
Lanfranchi
Hector Eduardo
HE
Cabrini
Rómulo L
RL
D000782:Aneuploidy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D004171:Diploidy; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011003:Ploidies; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm