Prognostic significance of DNA quantitation in stage D1 prostate carcinoma with the use of image analysis

A characteristic feature of prostatic adenocarcinoma is its great variation in biologic behavior. This variation and the observation that most carcinomas are of intermediate grade make standard histologic grading of limited value in determining the prognosis of a patient.

DNA quantitation with the use of computer-assisted image analysis on Feulgen-stained nuclei was performed on the metastatic lymph nodes from patients with Stage D1 prostate carcinoma to determine whether ploidy was a useful predictor of survival or progression. The Gleason histologic score of the primary tumor, the number and extent of lymph node metastases, and the progression and survival intervals were documented. Treatment modalities included pelvic lymph node dissection, radical prostatectomy, external beam radiation therapy, and iodine 125 implantation.

DNA ploidy quantitation showed that 65% (33 of 51) of cases were aneuploid, 2% (1 of 51) were tetraploid, and 33% (17 of 51) were in the diploid range. Progression to Stage D2 disease occurred in 76% of the patients with aneuploid cases and 53% of those with cases in the diploid range.

There was a significant difference in progression between the two ploidy groups (Cox regression analysis, P less than 0.05).