DNA content in gallbladder carcinoma: a flow cytometric study of 96 cases

The DNA content in gallbladder carcinoma and its relation to histological and cytological features was studied in 79 primary gallbladder carcinomas and 16 metastases. Abnormal DNA content was observed in 48 (51%) of 95 cases. In primary carcinomas, 44 (55.6%) showed a diploid DNA content, and 35 (44.4%) were aneuploid. The majority of the metastatic lesions were aneuploid DNA (81.3%; P = 0.006). Marked differences in the coefficient of variation estimated by manual, Kosugi and Dean methods were detected (P = 0.005). Seventy-one per cent of early gallbladder carcinomas had a normal DNA content. In contrast 54% of the cases with subserosal or serosal infiltration had normal DNA content. In primary tumours the degree of architectural atypia had a close relationship with the degree of cellular atypia (P = 0.00001). Only two (15%) of 13 cases with mild architectural atypia, and 34 (51.5%) of 66 cases with marked architectural atypia were aneuploid. Only one (10%) of 10 cases with mild cellular atypia and 35 (51%) of 69 with high cellular atypia had abnormal DNA content (P = 0.01) The importance of DNA content as a marker in gallbladder carcinoma remains uncertain and its clinical importance requires further clinicopathological studies.