FLOW-CYTOMETRY OF NON-SMALL-CELL BRONCHOGENIC-CARCINOMA AND ITS PROGNOSTIC-SIGNIFICANCE

Tumor- and lymphnode infiltration, and the DNA-ploidy status of a tumo r contain prognostic information in addition to the information obtain ed by histological examination of surgical samples. Specimens from 112 patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma obtained immediately afte r surgery were investigated by means of flow cytometry. DNA-aneuploidy was found in 43% of the primary tumors. Independent from tumor stage, patients with DNA-euploid tumors lived significantly longer (p < 0.01 ) than with DNA-aneuploid carcinomas. In 29 cases the DNA-ploidy statu s of the primary tumor (PTU) could be compared with that of the N2 lym phnode metastases (LM). 7 samples revealed a change from DNA-aneuploid y in the PTU to DNA-euploidy in the LM. Patients with DNA-euploid PTU and DNA-euploid LM lived significantly longer than patients with DNA-a neuploid PTU/DNA-euploid LM, and patients with DNA-aneuploid PTU/DNA-a neuploid LM. In case of lymphnode infiltration only the simultaneous m easurement of DNA-ploidy of PTU and LM offers an accurate prognostic e valuation. Local tumor recurrence exhibited stability of DNA-ploidy, s howing DNA-euploidy in 12 out of 13 PTU and their corresponding recurr ent tumor. Thus, the DNA-ploidy status offers additional prognostic in formations which is useful for an extended tumor classification.