[Nuclear DNA ploidy pattern and cytological atypia in aspiration cytology of breast cancer].

The relationship between nuclear DNA ploidy pattern and cytological atypia in aspiration cytology of breast cancer was studied in 40 cases of primary breast cancers (T1: 14 cases; T2: 26 cases). They were divided into two groups, according to cytological specimens, high degree (H group) and low degree (L group). Twelve of 40 cases were classified into H group and 28 cases into L group. Fresh frozen materials were obtained from mastectomy specimens and nuclear DNA analysis was carried out by flow cytometry (FCM). Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor were measured with the DCC method. Lymph node metastases were histologically seen in 17 cases; the ER positive rate was 55.0%, and the PgR positive rate was 42.5%. FCM revealed 21 cases (52.5%) with diploidy pattern and 19 cases (47.5%) with aneuploidy pattern. S-phase fraction in 17 cases (48.6%) exceeded 20%. L group had more diploid cases and ER positive cases than H group (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). No differences in other factors were seen between the two groups. In diploid cases, L group had more ER positive cases than H group (p < 0.02).