FLOW CYTOMETRIC DNA STUDIES AND AGNOR COUNTS IN PATIENTS WITH TRANSITIONAL-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE BLADDER

Flow cytometry appears to be a promising diagnostic method which may i nfluence the therapeutic approach to transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) bladder. The number of silver-stained nuclear organizer regions (AgNO Rs) seems to correlate with the growth fractions of the cells. In this study, we report the results of combined flow cytometric analysis and AgNOR in 37 patients with TCC of the bladder. A positive correlation was observed in the histological grade, stage and growth pattern in re lation to the ploidy of tumors. There were statistically significant d ifferences among the mean AgNOR counts of the different groups as defi ned by DNA content, histological grade, growth pattern and disease out come. In different stage groups, the AgNOR counts were related both to recurrence and progression. It was concluded that AgNOR counts perfor med on routine formalin-fixed paraffin sections furnish significant ki netic information. According to our preliminary results AgNOR counts a nd the DNA content of the tumors should also be measured to decide on more aggressive treatment in some cases.