Flow cytometric DNA-ploidy as a prognostic indicator in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

In an attempt to evaluate the significance of DNA-ploidy as an objective prognostic indicator of oral squamous cell carcinoma, a retrospective analysis of 70 paraffin-embedded specimens using flow cytometry was performed. Forty-one patients (58.6%) had aneuploid tumors and 29 patients (41.4%) had diploid DNA distribution patterns. There was a significant difference in 5-year disease-free survival rates between patients with aneuploid and diploid tumors. The difference in cervical metastatic rates between aneuploid and diploid group approximated statistical significance. No obvious correlation was observed between DNA indices and histologic grade, clinical stage or tumor size. It is concluded that patients with aneuploidy primary tumors have a significantly poorer prognosis and higher risk for regional metastases than those with diploid tumors.