FLOW-CYTOMETRY IN SMALL RENAL-CELL CARCIN OMAS

Flowcytometric (FCM) analysis of DIVA content represents an additional prognostic parameter for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This is especial ly true in the treatment of small-size renal tumors, where resection o r partial nephrectomy is to be performed as part of an organ-preservin g operation with elective indication. In a group of 245 patients with RCC, qualitatively high-grade histograms (CV < 4%) had been obtained f low cytometrically from fresh tumor tissue following transperitoneal t umor nephrectomy. In order to quantify the results, DNA content and st em-cell lines were determined in all samples. In 52/245 patients, the size of the tumor was under 4.1 cm, in 133/245 patients between 4.1 cm and 8.0 cm and in 60/245 patients over 8.0 cm. In these groups, the p roportion of tumors with a low DNA index was 63.5%, 62.4% and 70.0%, r espectively. The frequency of tumors with a high DNA content above 5 c (5c-exceesing-rate) was 7.7%, 7.5% and 10%. On the other hand, tumors with a diameter below 2.5 cm showed significant differences in their DNA-content.