DNA flow cytometry in gastric carcinoma: implication in patients with potentially curative resection.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The relevance of DNA ploidy as a prognostic factor in patients with gastric cancer is controversial. The prognostic significance of DNA ploidy and its relationship to conventional histological grading and staging of the tumor (TNM stage, Lauren, Ming and WHO classification) were evaluated.

METHODS

DNA ploidy of the tumor was determined by flow cytometry on archival material from 76 patients who underwent R0, D2 stomach resection.

RESULTS

DNA aneuploidy was found in 39 cases (51%). No significant association between DNA aneuploidy and either patients' sex, pT, pN, type according to Ming or Borrmann and tumor localization was found. The incidence of DNA aneuploidy was significantly lower in tumors of diffuse type according to Lauren, in signet-ring cell or undifferentiated type (WHO), in grade 3/4 tumors, and in patients younger than 50 years. We found no significant difference in survival of patients with DNA aneuploid when compared to DNA diploid tumors, although the prognosis of the patients with lower DNA index (DI < 1.2) tended to be better than that of higher DNA index (DI > 1.2).

CONCLUSIONS

DNA ploidy appears to be of limited prognostic value after R0, D2 resection of stomach cancer.