DNA INDEXES 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 31 cases. There were 29 tongue SCCHN, 20/29 were primary an d 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 r ecurrent carcinomas. This difference between the two groups may be a r eflection of their tumour biology. However, since our study is small n o definite conclusions can be made at this stage. We aim in the future to evaluate the prognostic role of DNA indices of patients with paire d primary and recurrent SCCHN. This may be of clinical value and impro ve the treatment modalities available to this group.