[Prognostic relevance of cytometric methods for tumors of the urinary tract and prostate].

Cytometry means quantification of various cellular parameter using different instruments like computer based image analysers, flow cytometers or laser-scan microscopes. Using the more time consuming computer based image analysis, different parameters of possible prognostic validity for tumors of the urothelium or prostate may be quantified, like cellular structures, DNA-ploidy, chromosomal aberrations (interphase cytogenetics) AgNORs and a variety of functional antigens like proliferation markers, hormone receptors or oncogene products. The advantage of this method is that measurements can be performed on selected, morphologically classified cells. Using flow cytometers a representative number of tumor cells can be measured in a short time. With laser-scan microscopes oncogene amplification and chromosomal aberrations may be measured using fluorescence DNA in situ-hybridization. Of all cytometric parameters obtainable at present, only DNA ploidy is of clinical relevance in transitional cell carcinomas as it can predict the probability of tumor recurrence, -progression and of survival time with high accuracy. Similarly, at this time, only DNA measurements are of clinical relevance in prostatic cancer, as they can predict tumor progression, death from cancer, survival probability and sensitivity to hormonal treatment. No other grading parameter is of comparable prognostic significance in prostate cancer.