Flow cytometry of uveal melanomas

Tumor cell kinetic parameters were determined for 36 uveal melanomas retained in fixed tissue sections using flow cytometric techniques and computerized morphometry. By flow cytometry the majority of cells comprising the 36 tumors were in the G0/G1 phase (55.7%). The DNA index was 1.40 +/- 0.57 units. Using Spearman's rank order correlation test, the correlation between DNA index and the inverse standard deviation of nucleolar area was found to be statistically significant. The potential usefulness of flow cytometry in predicting tumors of high malignant potential is discussed.