DNA flow cytometry, histological grade, stage, and age as prognostic factors in human epithelial ovarian carcinomas

The prognostic value of parameters as determined by DNA flow cytometry, in combination with other parameters, was assessed in 75 patients with ovarian carcinomas (20% in stage I and II). DNA- index of the tumours appeared to predict mainly the degree of differentiation, since the DNA-index only tended to affect prognosis and low grade tumours were mainly diploid. However, with ascites a non-diploid DNA-index was associated with a significantly lower survival in short-term follow-up. Subgroups with a favourable prognosis were defined by an age of patients less than or equal to 40 years, grade 1 tumours, and tumours in stage I or II. Particularly favourable was the combination of a grade 1 tumour, or a tumour in stage I or II, with percentage of cells in G1 greater than 85%. Prognostically poor subgroups were defined by an age greater than 60 years, by grade 2 or 3 tumours and by a clinically advanced stage. The combination of grade 2 or 3, or a clinically advanced stage, with G1-phase fraction less than or equal to 85% identified subgroups with a particularly poor prognosis.