[In situ lesion of para-nasopharyngeal carcinoma--microspectrophotometer study]

Eighteen tissue sections of in situ cancer of para-nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPCIS) were assayed for nuclear area, DNA content, nucleolar area and RNA content using MPV III microspectrophotometer. In general, the nuclear area, DNA content, nucleolar area and RNA content in NPCIS cells were significantly increased as compared with those in the non-cancerous epithelial cells. The DNA-histogram showed aneuploidy in the majority of NPCIS. In the invasive carcinoma foci, the above-mentioned characteristics were more marked. The authors believe that NPCIS is a critical stage in the pathogenesis of NPC. In addition, the comparison is described as to the similarities and differences between the columnar and squamous cell types of NPCIS.