DNA-PLOIDY AS A PROGNOSTIC FACTOR IN EARLY ESOPHAGEAL-CARCINOMA

Cell nuclear DNA content was cytophotometrically determined in biopsy specimens obtained from thirty-five patients with superficial esophage al carcinoma. The relationship between the DNA distribution pattern an d histopathological features, prognosis and postoperative survival tim e was then investigated. Patients with a low ploidy pattern had a more favorable postoperative course, with 62 % attaining a 5-year survival rate, than those with high ploidy, of whom 34 % attained a 5-year sur vival rate (p < 0.01). The recurrence rate was higher for the high plo idy pattern (64.3 %) than for the low ploidy pattern (35.3 %). Moreove r, the rate of recurrence within 2 years was 50 % in high ploidy, whic h was higher than the 5.9 % rate in the case of low ploidy (p < 0.05). Although there was no clearly established relationship between the DN A distribution pattern and clinicopathological features, a multivariat e analysis revealed that the DNA distribution pattern was one of the i ndependent and significant prognostic factors of superficial esophagea l carcinoma. These results thus suggest the usefulness of a preoperati ve DNA analysis of biopsy specimens in predicting the prognosis and de termining perioperative therapeutic strategy for both superficial esop hageal carcinoma and for advanced cases.