Cytophotometric DNA determination in human astroglial tumours

The DNA content is determined by the cytophotometric method in 16 astroglial tumours, classified according to the degree of clinical malignancy. The values are compared to those found in non-tumoural astrocytes. This method appears to be more reliable in assessment of the degree of malignancy of the tumour in biopsy material than histological criteria and the mitotic index. It is also shown to be of great value in cases where the biopsy is taken at the margin of the tumour and in which malignant histological features are missing.