[DNA content measured by flow cytometry in primary hepatic carcinoma and its clinical significance]

Twenty-two samples of resected primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC) and liver tissues of resective margin were studied by flow cytometric single-variable analysis combined with clinical data. The results showed that the DNA content measured by flow cytometry was a relatively independent factor indicating biological behavior in PHC. The DNA content was increased and the great majority of PHC cells were of aneuploid cells (90.0%). DNA histograms varied and the occurrence rate of multi-aneuploid was 35%. The DNA content distributed widely, indicating that PHC cells were heterogeneous. The occurrence rate of aneuploid was 61.9% in histologically negative hepatic tissues of resective margin, and it was not correlated with categories of hepatic resection. The existence of aneuploid cells in liver tissues of resective margin is thus considered an important factor for the recurrence of PHC. We suggest that surgical treatment is inadequate and adjuvant therapy is required.