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Flow cytometric diagnosis of partial mole
F Mangili1, I Sassi, M Patetta
1Cattedra di Anatomia e Istologia Patologica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
Pathology, Research and Practice
|June 1, 1992
Summary
Flow cytometry reliably distinguishes partial hydatidiform moles (PM) from complete hydatidiform moles (CM) using DNA content analysis. This fast method aids in diagnosing PM on paraffin-embedded tissue, complementing cytogenetic findings.
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic Pathology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Histological differentiation between partial hydatidiform mole (PM) and complete hydatidiform mole (CM) can be challenging.
- Cytogenetic studies indicate PMs are often triploid, while CMs are typically diploid.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate flow cytometry for DNA content analysis in paraffin-embedded trophoblastic disease specimens.
- To assess the reliability of flow cytometry in differentiating PM from CM.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze DNA content in 31 paraffin-embedded trophoblastic disease cases.
- Cases included histologically diagnosed PM (24), CM (3), hydropic abortion (2), choriocarcinoma (1), and persistent trophoblastic disease (1).
- Normal term placentas served as diploid controls; maternal tissue was used as an internal control.
Main Results:
- Eight of 24 histologically diagnosed PMs were identified as triploid by flow cytometry.
- Flow cytometry results showed 90% agreement with available cytogenetic ploidy determinations (8/9 cases).
- Diploid DNA content was observed in normal controls, hydropic abortion, CM, and persistent trophoblastic disease; choriocarcinoma showed abnormal DNA content (DI=1.3).
Conclusions:
- Flow cytometric analysis of DNA content is a dependable and rapid method for diagnosing PM.
- This technique is effective on archival paraffin-embedded tissue samples.
- Flow cytometry provides valuable adjunct diagnostic information for trophoblastic diseases.