Flow cytometric studies of colorectal tumors using fine needle aspiration

The results are reported of cytofluorometric DNA analyses of colorectal tumors using cells obtained by mechanical disruption and fine needle aspiration. The latter method does not lower the level of debris or cell aggregates. We found a significantly higher proportion of aneuploid cells by needle aspiration. There was a good correlation between the data obtained by both methods, but for large heterogeneous tumors multiple site aspirations are needed to obtain representative specimens. Fine needle aspiration was found particularly useful for small tumors and polyps.