[Fine-needle puncture-aspiration in the measurement of the DNA content by flow cytometry in head and neck tumors. Methodology and applications].

Fine needle aspiration was used to obtain samples from 15 patients with head and neck tumors for posterior analysis of their DNA content by flow cytometry. This technique afforded rapid and readily reproducible high quality histograms. A review was made of the malignancy criteria according to variations in DNA content. Good patient tolerance made it possible to apply the technique repeatedly to obtain samples for DNA analysis by flow cytometry, a method of great interest in monitoring response to different treatment protocols (chemotherapy, radiotherapy).