[DNA analysis in stomach cancer--correlation of aneuploidy with tumor site]

The DNA status and the proliferative activity was determined in 37 gastric carcinomas applying computerized image analysis. Aneuploidy was found in 51.4% (n = 19) of the tumors. Comparing diploid and aneuploid lesions the latter ones had statistically significant increased DNA amount, DNA index and proliferative rate (7.4 pg, 1.03 and 16.4% versus 12.8 pg, 1.78 and 30.7%; p < 0.05). Aneuploidy occurred more frequently in tumors at proximal sites (p < 0.05), but was not associated with histological type, differentiation and tumor stage. The prognostic impact of DNA aneuploidy remains controversial, since tumor aggressiveness per se is not directly related to aneuploidy.