[The value of quantitative DNA analysis in evaluating the prognosis of differentiated thyroid cancer]

In this study we analyzed DNA ploidy as a potential prognostic parameter in differentiated thyroid carcinoma. In the case of papillary cancer the depth of tumor infiltration, a micro- or macroinvasive tumor growth, an invasion of vessels and the ploidy had an influence on prognosis. In the case of follicular cancer depth of tumor infiltration, the presence of distant metastasis, grading, uni- or multifocal tumor growth and the ploidie had an influence on prognosis. In the case of papillary cancer the multivariate analysis for the ploidy shows a strong and independent influence on the prognosis. Even when comparing with tumor stage, EORTC score and AGES score the ploidy allows an additional prognostic differentiation. In follicular carcinomas a multivariate analysis was not possible due to the strong associations of the prognostic parameters.