Image analysis DNA cytometry of bladder cancer

In a retrospective analysis, the DNA histograms of 65 paraffin-embedded bladder carcinomas from radical cystectomy specimens (stage pT1-pT4a, pN0, pN1, pN2) were analyzed using an automated image analysis system (Leytas 2). Automated image analysis was able to characterize invasive bladder carcinoma as being either diploid, polyploid, or aneuploid. Within the group of aneuploid tumors, the DNA content of the stem-cell line allowed further subtyping of the tumors; hypotriploid, hypertriploid, hypertetraploid, and even hyperpentaploid tumors could be distinguished. Comparing different sites of identical tumors, the DNA histogram was found to be a stable and reproducible tumor characteristic. The various tumor types differed significantly in prognosis. This technique can also be applied to smears of urine sediment or transurethrally resected tumor chips. In the case of superficial tumors, DNA cytometry defines those tumors which are potentially invasive, requiring careful follow-up and/or early aggressive treatment.