Clinical flow cytometric DNA analysis of human solid tumors

Flow cytometry is widely used to analyze nuclear DNA content. Its clinical application in oncology is becoming increasingly important for detecting abnormalities in DNA content (DNA aneuploidy) of cells from solid tumors and for monitoring cell-growth kinetics in tumor cells (S-phase estimation), information which may be relevant for prognosis and evaluation of therapy. The risks of false DNA ploidy determination and inaccurate S-phase estimation are discussed. A methodological approach, criteria for histogram interpretation and criteria for histogram rejection are proposed in order to avoid these artifactual results.