[Flow cytometry analysis of the DNA content of the prostate cancer--study on the tumor heterogeneity in prostate cancer].

PURPOSE

Clinical significance of DNA ploidy pattern and its DNA heterogeneity is examined in prostate cancer.

METHODS

Fresh needle biopsy specimens were analyzed with flow cytometry and were compared with histopathological findings in 42 patients.

RESULTS

Seven patients had stage B (1 case of B1, 6 cases of B2), 14 had stage C and 21 had stage D disease respectively. Histopathologically, 18 of the cases were well, 12 were moderately and 12 were poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Diploid was observed in 20, aneuploid in 22. Though 22 cases showed no DNA heterogeneity, 14 had type A heterogeneity with aneuploid in association with diploid pattern, and 6 cases had type B heterogeneity in which multiple aneuploid patterns with different D.I. values were observed. The heterogeneity was observed in 28% of well, 58% of moderately and 67% of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, respectively, and also in 14% of stage B, 50% of stage C and 57% of stage D patients, respectively.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that DNA heterogeneity in prostate cancer is more frequently seen in poorer differentiated ones on histologic grade and in more advanced ones on clinical stage.