Diagnostic and prognostic value of DNA cytometry in gynecologic cytology

A survey of the diagnostic and prognostic value of DNA cytometric measurements in gynecologic tumors is given. In slight-to-moderate epithelial dysplasias of the uterine cervix, morphologic studies alone cannot make a definite distinction between benignity and malignancy, nor can they identify all precancerous lesions. DNA cytometry may help in these cases to detect prospective malignancy. Cytologic and histologic grading of malignancy often does not provide correct information about the prospective behavior of an individual tumor; its reliability is hampered by low interobserver reproducibilities. DNA cytometry may supplement subjective morphologic grading by providing objective and reproducible prognostic indices. The advantages and disadvantages of TV-based image cytometry and flow cytometry for application in routine gynecologic pathology and the different attempts at diagnostic DNA interpretation are discussed.