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Multiparameter DNA flow cytometry of keratoacanthoma
J D Seidman1, J J Berman, G W Moore
1Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland.
Analytical and Quantitative Cytology and Histology
|April 1, 1992
Summary
Keratoacanthomas (KAs), rapidly growing skin lesions, show DNA aneuploidy, suggesting they are true neoplasms, not just reactive growths. This finding supports KAs as distinct neoplastic entities.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Keratoacanthomas (KAs) are rapidly growing cutaneous lesions that resemble squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) but typically regress spontaneously.
- The exact nature of KAs—whether reactive hyperplasia or a true neoplasm—remains debated due to their unpredictable behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular DNA content of KAs using flow cytometry to determine if they exhibit aneuploidy, a characteristic often associated with neoplasms.
- To compare the DNA profiles of KAs with those of cutaneous SCCs to identify potential differences or similarities.
Main Methods:
- DNA flow cytometry was employed to analyze the DNA content of 14 KAs and 10 cutaneous SCCs.
- Multiparameter analysis, including forward and orthogonal scatter, was used to identify distinct cell populations and assess DNA ploidy.
Main Results:
- Aneuploid DNA populations were detected in 10 out of 14 KAs, with DNA indices ranging from 1.03 to 1.14 (peridiploid aneuploidy).
- Two cutaneous SCCs exhibited grossly aneuploid populations (DNA indices of 1.69 and 2.33), while four SCCs also showed peridiploid aneuploidy.
- The presence of aneuploidy in a significant proportion of KAs supports their classification as neoplastic lesions.
Conclusions:
- The findings provide evidence for aneuploidy in Keratoacanthomas, supporting the hypothesis that KAs are true neoplasms.
- This study contributes to understanding the biological behavior of KAs and differentiating them from benign reactive lesions.