Tumoral DNA analysis by flow cytometry in patients submitted to esophagectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

Squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus has a poor prognosis. There are several factors influencing the prognosis. The study of DNA ploidy by flow cytometry used in many malignant tumors is very valuable in determining, as a tumor marker, this prognosis. In this study 13 cases of resected squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus were analyzed. Despite the small sample, the authors observed that the worst prognosis was in advanced stage cases (III and IV), an aneuploid DNA pattern. The only case with a 5-year survival had a diploid DNA pattern.