DNA ploidy of basal cell carcinoma determined by image cytometry of fresh smears

Image analysis of nuclear DNA content (DNA ploidy) was performed on smears of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) obtained during Mohs microscopically-controlled surgery from 51 tumors. DNA ploidy was compared with histologic growth pattern and the contour of the invading edge. There was a statistically significantly increased frequency of DNA aneuploidy in smears from BCC exhibiting partial or total diffuse (infiltrative and superficial multicentric) growth patterns (80%; 32 of 40) as compared to solely circumscribed growth patterns (0%; 0 of 11) (p < 0.001).