[Significance of FCM-DNA ploidy pattern, AgNOR counting, hTERT and PCNA expression in differentiating malignant from benign serous effusion].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Differentiating malignant from benign serous effusion is still a difficulty in clinic at present. This study was to explore the clinical value of flow cytometry (FCM)-DNA ploidy, argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) staining, human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in differentiating malignant from benign serous effusion.

METHODS

Sixty-seven patients with serous effusion, treated in People's Hospital of Huaibei City from Jun. 2004 to Jun. 2005, were selected. Besides routine exfoliated cytology examination, FCM-DNA ploidy analysis and AgNOR staining was performed, hTERT and PCNA expression were detected by SP immunocytology.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in FCM-DNA ploidy, AgNOR staining, hTERT and PCNA expression between malignant and benign serous effusion. Compared with exfoliated cytology, the sensitivity of AgNOR staining was the highest (89.1%), the specificity of cytology, hTERT and PCNA expression was the highest (100%), and the accuracy of AgNOR staining and hTERT expression was the highest (89.6%). According to combination examination, the sensitivity was increased to 91.3% through combining cytology with hTERT expression.

CONCLUSION

DNA aneuploidy, hTERT and PCNA expression and AgNOR counting increase are correlated to malignant serous effusion, and can be important auxiliary measures for serous cytology.