[DNA content in dysplasias and early invasive forms of cervical cancer]

Cytological preparations of normal cervical epithelium and in different forms of the epithelial dysplasia and in early cervical cancer were studied in 8 healthy females and in 35 patients. To determine the content of DNA in these cells a fluorescent variant of the Feulgen reaction was employed, using the national drug rivanol as fluorochromium in the Shiff reagent. The amount of DNA in cell nuclei of the normal epithelium and in moderate dysplasia is shown to correspond to diploid, while in marked dysplasia the content of DNA varies from di-to tetraploid values. But there are some cases when in marked dysplasia the DNA content in cells is diploid, i. e. it is characteristic of moderate dysplasia, or considerably exceeds tetraploid level, and it is in such cases that histological assays reveal early forms of cancer. Invasive cancer is charcterized by a sharp increase in the DNA content in most cells and by a considerable number of polyploid cells. Fluorescence-microscopy may serve as a valuable diagnostic adjunct to recognize early forms of cervical cancer and be used clinically.