TUMOR DNA CONTENT IN GALLBLADDER CARCINOMA

An abnormal DNA content has been associated with an unfavorable progno sis in a variety of cancers. In this study, tumor DNA content was meas ured in patients with gallbladder carcinoma in order to determine whet her DNA ploidy pattern was a prognostic indicator. Thirty-six patients who had had a gallbladder carcinoma resected with curative intent wer e analyzed. Aneuploid tumor (20 cases, 56 per cent) was significantly associated with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (p < 0.05), invas ion beyond the muscularis propria (p < 0.01), and a high mitotic index (p < 0.0001). A significant advantage in terms of five-year survival was demonstrated in patients with diploid tumors as compared with thos e with aneuploid tumors (80 per cent versus 24 per cent, respectively, p < 0.005). Aneuploid tumors invading the subserosal layer had a sign ificantly poorer prognosis than diploid tumors with similar depth of i nvasion (p < 0.05). However, when tumor invasion had extended beyond t he serosa, no significant advantage in survival was found between pati ents with aneuploid and those with diploid tumors. It is concluded tha t DNA ploidy pattern is a valuable addition to a staging protocol for gallbladder carcinoma.