DNA-PLOIDY AS A PROGNOSTIC FACTOR FOR PATIENTS WITH AN ADENOCARCINOMAIN BARRETTS-ESOPHAGUS

Background/Aims: The role of DNA ploidy of tumor cells as a prognostic factor for survival after resection was evaluated in 40 patients with an adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus (28 men and 12 women; mean. age, 61 years). Materials and Methods: After resection of the esophagu s, staging was performed according to the TNM-classification (UICC 198 7). Tremor tissue specimens were reviewed for the histological differe ntiation grade and flow cytometry was performed on paraffin embedded t issue according to the method described by Hedley. Results: There teas no significant correlation between DNA-ploidy and TNM-stage or histol ogical differentiation grade of the tumor. DNA ploidy, stage and gl ad e as prognostic factors for the survival were evaluated by multivariat e analysis. DNA ploidy significantly (p=0.04) correlated with survival , also univariately. Patients with diploid tumors had 3- and 5-year su rvival rates of 51% and 25% respectively, as compared to 10% and 0% re spectively for patients with aneuploid or tetraploid/increased G2 tumo rs. Conclusion: DNA ploidy is an independent prognostic factor for the survival of patients with an adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus.