Prognostic applications of DNA analysis in solid malignant lesions in humans.

Analysis of the DNA of tumors using flow cytometry is a technologic method that can be used to investigate the biologic nature of tumors. While not conclusive, results suggest that this biologic information may be useful in identifying patients with malignant disease who have a worse prognosis. The differentiation of patients with aneuploid tumors into those with hypoploid tumors and those whose tumors are hyperploid may be a further refinement of the technique. Also, a combination of this biologic criteria may allow a more accurate selection of patients than either method alone. Further investigative work needs to be done to fully evaluate the clinical usefulness of flow cytometric DNA analysis and answer these and other questions.