DNA content of head and neck squamous carcinoma by flow and image cytometry.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the measurement of quantitative DNA in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck by flow cytometry and image cytometry.

DESIGN

Comparison of image cytometry to the more commonly used flow cytometry using paraffin-embedded tissues.

SETTING

University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento. A 472-bed university teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

Records of 26 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, base of tongue, and larynx were obtained from the case files of an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon. They were reviewed for staging and follow-up.

RESULTS

We demonstrated a 96% concordance rate between the methods. A solitary discrepant case was aneuploid by image cytometry and diploid by flow cytometry. The specimen involved tumor infiltrated by lymphocytes that may have masked the aneuploid population to measurement by flow cytometry. Quantitative DNA analysis correlated moderately well with tumor grade, tumor stage, and patient outcome with a minimum of 6 years of follow-up. All patients with diploid tumors were long-term survivors.

CONCLUSIONS

Both methods provide accurate quantitative DNA analyses in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The methods are highly correlative and yield similar predictive data regarding tumor behavior and prognosis.