[Flow cytometric DNA measurements of thyroid carcinomas]

Flow cytometric DNA analysis has been performed using paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from 121 patients with thyroid carcinoma. The incidence of aneuploidy found in thyroid carcinoma was 9 (7.4%), while 112 (92.6%) were diploid. Aneuploid specimens consisted of 6 papillary, 1 follicular, 1 medullary and 1 undifferentiated carcinoma. Of 4 undifferentiated carcinoma patients who subsequently died, only 1 was aneuploid. The 5- and 7-year survival rate for diploid and aneuploid patients were 94% vs 37%, and 91% vs 37%, with significant differences (p less than 0.01). DNA measurements have been found useful in predicting the survival of aneuploid patients, though there remains some discrepancy between the DNA content and the clinical findings in cases of thyroid carcinoma.