Nuclear DNA content and nuclear atypia. Relation to survival in patients with breast adenocarcinoma and serious ovarian tumors.

The grade of nuclear atypia (low, medium, or high) was compared with DNA content in 122 tumors comprising 73 serous ovarian tumors and 49 mammary carcinomas of ductal type. The study was performed on two consecutive histologic sections 4 mu in thickness, one of which was stained with hematoxylin-eosin for estimation of nuclear atypia, and the other with Feulgen for measurements of DNA. In both tumor groups there was a significant correlation between nuclear atypia and nuclear DNA content. The results suggest that DNA analysis is of significant additional prognostic value even when the grade of nuclear atypia is known.