Relations between various DNA-parameters and degree of malignancy in endometrial carcinoma

120 imprint-cytology specimens obtained from standardized areas of 20 endometrial carcinomas were investigated by use of a computed-controlled image analysis system to determine special quantitative DNA-parameters. The stem line ploidy, the 2c deviation index (2cDI), the DNA-associated graduation of malignancy (DNA-MG) as well as the 5c exceeding rate (5cER) were calculated for each preparation. 85% of the imprint-cytology preparations had diploid stem lines, and aneuploidy was found in 15%. There were statistically significant correlations between the DNA-MG, the 5cER and the stem line ploidy as well as between the DNA-MG and the 5cER. The sensitivity of the 5cER was 76.6% in our study and so we cannot regard this parameter as prouding accurate information about tumor malignancy in endometrial carcinoma. Special DNA-parameters defined mathematically should be utilized for objective grading of tumor malignancy.