FLOW CYTOMETRIC DNA ANALYSIS OF ADENOCARCINOMAS OF THE VERMIFORM APPENDIX

The DNA ploidy status and S-phase fraction of eight adenocarcinomas of the vermiform appendix diagnosed in Iceland during 1974-1990 were ana lyzed by now cytometry. Four cases were classified as Dukes' stage B2 and four cases as Dukes' stage D. Seven tumors were diploid and one wa s aneuploid. The DNA aneuploid tumor was the only one which metastasiz ed outside the abdominal cavity. The S-phase fraction in general was l ow. The results of this study do not indicate any significant correlat ion between ploidy status and clinical behavior.