[Influence of DNA ploidy and grading on survival in primary metastatic prostate carcinoma]

An aneuploid pattern of prostatic cancer defined by flow cytometry was shown to be of value in predicting progression rates and patient survival times. We evaluated the long-term value of DNA analysis in prostatic cancer in 61 patients with advanced disease. We performed flow cytometry on 61 fresh prostate specimens obtained-from a transrectal needle biopsy or a transurethral resection. All patients received antihormonal therapy. Time until death was evaluated in all patients. Of the DNA histograms analyzed, 37% showed a diploid pattern, 63% an non-diploid pattern, and 37% a tetraploid or hypertetraploid pattern. Kaplan-Meier plots were generated for analysis of the probability of survival. Mean survival time was 44 months for patients with diploid (range 1-126 months) and 40 months for patients with non-diploid tumors (range 1-96 months). This difference is not statistically significant. However, the combination of non-diploid and low-differentiated (G3) tumors reduced survival time significantly (mean 20 months, range 1-62 months). There was no patient with combination of a diploid and highly differentiated tumor.