DNA index as prognostic factor in breast cancer.

Enzymatically dissociated cells exhibited growth in most cases while mechanically dissociated cells did not grow in short term cultures and were not suitable for cytometric study. Breast cancer cells obtained by enzymatic dissociation were examined for DNA content and S-phase fraction. The most of the primary and metastatic breast cancer cells were aneuploid. The 74% rate of invasive and 62% of primary breast cancers had aneuploid (> G0/G1) DNA content, 22% of metastatic breast cancer cells and 37% of primary tumors cells were DNA diploid or near diploid tumor stemlines. The means of DNA diploid and near diploid tumor cells were higher in primary tumors. DNA index was higher in more aggressive and metastatic tumors. S-phase fractions were higher in cells of metastatic tumors than those in primary tumors. Nuclear DNA content and S-phase fraction can be considered a valuable prognostic indicators in breast cancer.