DNA indices of primary and recurrent squamous cell carcinomas of the tongue and tonsil using image cytometry.

Ploidy status of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN) from primary and recurrent tonsillar and tongue lesions has not been compared using image cytometry. We have measured and compared the DNA indices in 41 cases. There were 29 tongue SCCHN, 20/29 were primary and 9/29 were recurrent. Mean DNA index (DI) was 1.19 (range 0.70-1.81) and 1.28 (range 0.79-1.94) respectively. There were 12 tonsillar cases, 10/12 primary and two out of 12 recurrent. Mean DI was 0.84 (range 0.57-1.09) and 1.00 (range 0.98-1.02) respectively. Mean DNA indices of both primary carcinomas were lower than the mean DNA indices of the recurrent carcinomas. This difference between the two groups may be a reflection of their tumour biology. However, since our study is small no definite conclusions can be made at this stage. We aim in the future to evaluate the prognostic role of DNA indices of patients with paired primary and recurrent SCCHN. This may be of clinical value and improve the treatment modalities available to this group.