Comparison of the DNA content in the different steps of cutaneous carcinoma progression

The main aim of this study was to check the application of ploidy related parameters for differential diagnosis between solar keratosis, Bowen's disease and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. 10 specimens of normal epidermis, 68 solar keratoses, 50 cases of Bowen's disease and 10 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) were stained with Feulgen and their ploidy status was evaluated with a CAS200 image analyzer. Significant and highly significant differences between groups investigated not only for 5c exceeding rate, but also for the ratios of diploid, aneuploid, tetraploid, octaploid and 16-ploid cells are demonstrated. With respect to ploidy associated parameters solar keratosis is closer related to SCC of the skin than Bowen's disease. These findings are in accordance with a higher risk of progression to SCC inspite of a generally lower degree of atypia.