Vulvar squamous carcinoma: Prognostic role of DNA content

DNA nuclear content was evaluated on 46 paraffin-embedded blocks of vulvar cancer by means of flow cytometry. Fifteen of 44 evaluable samples (34%) we re found to have an aneuploid DNA pattern. Aneuplody showed a statistically significant relationship with tumor grading (P = 0.0004) and defined a sub set of patients who have pathological characteristics of high risk, such as advanced stage of disease, deepest stromal invasion, or positive inguinal nodes. However, when a multivariate regression model was used, ploidy statu s did not have any prognostic role, while FIGO staging system was confirmed to be the strongest independent prognostic factor (P = 0.009). The integra tion of a panel of cell kinetic parameters with traditional features is wor th investigating on a larger population. (C) 1998 Academic Press.