Flow cytometric analysis of DNA content and Ki-67-positive fractions in the diagnosis of salivary gland tumors.

To explore the utility of flow cytometry (FCM) for the diagnosis of histopathology of salivary gland tumors, fresh materials taken at surgery from 23 Warthin's tumors, 57 pleomorphic adenomas, and 14 malignant tumors were analyzed for DNA ploidy and proliferative cell activities, including S-phase fraction (SPF), G2- plus M-phase fraction (G2M), and Ki-67-positive fraction. To facilitate this study, glands were taken from all major salivary sites and minor glands in the head and neck. DNA aneuploidy was not detected in the benign tumors. Nine of 14 malignant tumors showed DNA aneuploidy. The percentage of SPF or G2M of the malignant tumors was significantly higher than those of the benign tumors. The percentage of Ki-67-positive fraction of pleomorphic adenomas was comparable to that of malignant tumors and was significantly higher than that of Warthin's tumors. Ki-67 of 20% as a cut-off had a sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 100%, and accuracy of 91% for differentiating pleomorphic adenomas from Warthin's tumors. In analyzing DNA content and proliferative activities by FCM, we could distinguish among the three major histopathologies of salivary gland tumors. Warthin's tumors showed low SPF + G2M with low Ki-67, pleomorphic adenomas had low SPF + G2M with high Ki-67, and malignant tumor showed high SPF + G2M with high Ki-67. The high percentage of the Ki-67-positive fraction seen in pleomorphic adenomas may reflect their potential biological aggressiveness manifested as tumor recurrence or malignant transformation.