CORRELATION BETWEEN DNA-PLOIDY AND CLINICAL-FEATURES IN SMOOTH-MUSCLETUMORS OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT

Paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 51 surgically resected, gastroin testinal smooth muscle tumors (10 leiomyomas, 5 leiomyoblastomas and 3 6 leiomyosarcomas) were assayed for nuclear DNA content, and the resul ts were examined for correlation with clinico-pathological variables ( tumor size, cellularity and mitosis) and prognosis. Twenty-four (47%) of the 51 tumors, consisting of 3 (30%) of the 10 leiomyomas, 2 (40%) of the 5 leiomyoblastomas and 19 (53%) of the 36 leiomyosarcomas, were identified as aneuploid. A close correlation was found between the mi totic index and the tumor size ([cc]) = 0.528; P < 0.001). The DNA plo idy pattern of the leiomyosarcoma was closely correlated with the pati ent survival periods (P = 0.06). The estimated median survival period was 73 months for patients with diploid tumors, and 51 months for thos e with aneuploid tumors. The 10-year survival rate for aneuploid tumor s was lower than that for diploid tumors (P < 0.001). The measurement of DNA content may provide an index of prognostic value in pstrointest inal leiomyosarcomas.