RESUMO
The types of DNA content can be divided into four groups: (1) diploids and near-diploids; (2) triploids; (3) tetraploidy and hyperploidy aneuploids; (4) biclonal DNA content.Recent studies show that measuring DNA content by flow cytometry (FCM) can be applied to most primary bone tumors in pointing out clinically relevant informations.In this study, cellular DNA content of 33 primary bone tumors was analysed by FCM.Isolated nuclear suspensions were prepared by a simple, rapid and effective method using 10% formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded bone tumor specimens.The results showed that 10 benign (including 5 Grade I giant cell tumors of bone) and 5 histologically questionable tumors had normal DNA content (diploids or near-diploids) and that the other 7 questionable and all of the 11 malignant tumors had abnormal DNA content (aneuploids).The cell cycle distribution analysis showed that the aneuploidy tumors had higher proportion of S-phase and G2+M-phase cells than the normal ploidy tumors, indicating there were differences in proliferative activity.The method also showed that benign and low-malignant primary bone tumors were diploids or near-diploids, and high-malignant ones were aneuploids.Compared with typically pathological grading, the flow DNA analysis of bone tumors can more objectively point out their biological behavior and prognosis.