Tumour ploidy for characterization of prostatic carcinoma: flow-cytofluorometric DNA studies using aspiration biopsy...

151 patients with miscellaneous, treated and untreated prostatic lesions were examined by transrectal fine-needle biopsy. The results of cytological assessment were correlated with the results of flow-cytofluorometric DNA-analysis. The incidence and degree of aneuploidy were determined. Cases with non-malignant cytologic findings were mostly diploid. Poorly differentiated carcinomas were nearly exclusively aneuploid, with aneuploidy mostly in the tri- to tetraploid region. Well and moderately differentiated carcinomas were diploid in one-third of the cases. The other two thirds were aneuploid, nearly exclusively in the tetraploid region. The biological significance of these results, in the prognostic prediction for patients with prostatic carcinoma, is discussed. This cytofluorometric method can be used in routine clinical work and may in the future form a suitable basis for the management of these patients.