Cell cycle and apoptosis in tumours of oral cavity estimated by image cytometry

The aim of investigations was to examine whether diploid and aneuploid tumours of oral cavity differ in frequencies of occurrence of individual phases of cell cycle and of apoptosis. Investigations were carried out on 53 tumours using techniques of image cytometry. The studies were performed on properly isolated cells of tumours, which were stained using Feulgen method and analysed by image cytometry. Using a suitable computer programme, the percentages of cells present in individual phases of cell cycle and in apoptosis were estimated. No respective differences could be disclosed between diploid and aneuploid tumours. In addition, the ratios of the fraction of cells in S phase of the cell cycle and those in apoptosis were calculated and were found to carry certain prognostic significance in patients with squamous cell carcinomas of oral cavity.