Nuclear DNA analysis of the periampullary carcinoma using cytologic bile specimens

DNA cytofluorometric analysis of carcinoma cells of the periampullary region was performed using cytologic bile specimens. The materials were obtained from three cases of obstructive jaundice through percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage tubes. The DNA ploidy histograms of bile samples could be evaluated as well as those of paraffin-embedded tissue samples. DNA analysis using cytologic bile specimens may reveal biological behavior of carcinoma cells and provide useful information for the choice of therapeutic interventions.