Nuclear DNA measurements in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung: a guide for prognostic evaluation.

Cytophotometric analysis of nuclear DNA in 30 squamous cell carcinomas showed in most tumours a peak value near 2c (diploid) or 3 c (aneuploid), and a wide distribution of other nuclear DNA values. A follow-up study showed that the prognosis was best for patients with diploid tumour cells and worst for patients with aneuploid tumour cells. The DNA histogram patterns give information about the dominating DNA ploidy of the tumour cells; in some tumours information about the tumour proliferation activity is also provided. These data are useful in prognostic evaluation and may prove useful as adjuncts in the diagnosis and in selection of treatment.