Interrelationships between nuclear DNA ploidy, tumor grade and stage in upper tract transitional cell carcinoma / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ABSTRACT

DNA ploidy analysis by flow cytometry is a well established method to characterize urinary tract tumors in the diagnosis, monitoring of treatment efficacy, and predicting progression and recurrences. We analyzed a total of 34 paraffin embedded specimens from 26 upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma patients who were operated upon between 1984 and 1991. 1. DNA diploid histogram patterns were detected in 14 patients (54%) and the remaining 12 (46%) showed aneuploid patterns. 2. DNA diploid tumors tend to be associated with superficial tumors (9/11) and the aneuploidy with invasive tumors (10/15). 3. DNA ploidy and histological grade were closely associated; Aneuploidy was identified more frequently in higher grades (8/11) than in lower grades (4/15). In conclusion, our data indicate that DNA ploidy, grade and stage are closely associated with each other in upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. The DNA ploidy analysis of the upper tract transitional cell carcinoma may be utilized as an additional prognostic factor.