[Flow cytometric DNA analysis and its relationship with pathology and prognosis in lung carcinoma]

DNA content of paraffin-embedded tumour material from 110 patients with lung carcinoma was measured by means of flow cytometry. Aneuploidy was found in 78% of the patients. The mean DNA ploid, the percentage of hyperdiploidy and the percentage of multiploidy in small cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma were higher than those obtained in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. These values were also higher in grade III squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma as compared with grade I and II squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. They were also higher in lung carcinoma with the primary tumor size greater than or equal to 3 cm than that less than 3 cm. The five-year survival rate and mid mean survival time of patients with hyperdiploidy were significantly lower than those of patients with diploidy and hypodiploidy. Conclusively, DNA content is considered closely related to the degree of malignancy of lung carcinoma and may be adapted as a reliable criterion in estimating the prognosis of lung carcinoma.