The diagnostic significance of nuclear DNA measurement in cytologic smears of benign and malignant gastric lesions.

Gastric mucosa was obtained from 126 patients by endoscopic biopsy and subsequent cell brushing for histological, cytological and DNA cytophotometric studies. 23 cases were carcinomatous. DNA histogram evaluation for each case was carried out with special consideration of the position of the DNA stem line and the scatter of the measured DNA values. Additionally, DNA distribution characteristics were established for clinical or cytological diagnostic groups. By ascertaining relative mean ploidy values (U values) and relative frequency of euploid and polyploid values (Z values) in the sample populations, cell nuclear DNA determination was used as a criteria for differentiating between benign and malignant alterations of the stomach. The results allow optimistic prognosis concerning the use of cell nuclear DNA content as a significant, though not as the only measuring factor in automated diagnostic procedures.