DNA flow cytometry of endoscopically examined colorectal adenocarcinomas

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the correlation of DNA-ploidy of colorectal adenocarcinomas (adk) with histological and clinical parameters including the survival of the patients. Multiple biopsies from 95 adk were taken during colonoscopy prior to surgery. The samples were used to obtain nuclei suspensions for specific staining of DNA content and high resolution flow cytometry. DNA-aneuploidy, i.e. the presence of more than one G0/G1 peak, was detected in 67/95 cases (71%). The individual-specific control mucosa was DNA-diploid in all cases. The mean fraction of S-phase cells was 7.2% in control mucosa and 13.6% in adk. DNA-ploidy did neither correlate with Dukes' stage nor with differentiation degree. Among the patients studied for the correlation of DNA ploidy with survival for a period extending to 30 months (n = 51), the DNA aneuploid group was estimated to be about 5 times as risky as the DNA diploid group with respect to the odds of dying. We conclude that DNA flow cytometry of colorectal adk may predict clinical outcome and be helpful in addition to histopathology.