NUCLEAR-DNA CONTENT AS A PROGNOSTIC PREDICTOR IN CARCINOMA OF THE PANCREAS

Eighty-six patients with carcinoma of the pancreas were studied retros pectively. Paraffin-embedded specimens and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the accuracy of the measurement of nuclear DNA as a predicto r of the postoperative prognosis, From the series of 86 patients, 72 w ith a diagnosis of tubular adenocarcinoma (Japanese classification) we re selected. and their DNA ploidy pattern and clinical and pathologica l features were correlated; 52.3% of the 86 patients and 52.8% of the 72 tubular adenocarcinoma patients showed DNA aneuploidy. Histological examinations of the tubular adenocarcinomas showed 42.9% DNA aneuploi dy in well differentiated, 56.8% in moderately differentiated, and 71. 4% in poorly differentiated types. The DNA ploidy showed a statistical ly significant positive correlation with the T category. The presence or absence of retroperitoneal invasion was thought to be the most impo rtant prognostic factor. Cumulative survival rates showed that the pro gnosis for patients with retroperitoneal invasion and DNA aneuploidy w as significantly worse than for those with DNA diploidy or those witho ut retroperitoneal invasion.