INFLUENCE OF DNA-PLOIDY AND GRADING ON SU RVIVAL-TIME OF PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY METASTASIZED PROSTATIC-CARCINOMA

An aneuploid pattern of prostatic cancer defined by now cytometry was shown to be of value in predicting progression rates and patient survi val times. We evaluated the long-term value of DNA analysis in prostat ic cancer in 61 patients with advanced disease. We performed flow cyto metry on 61 fresh prostate specimens obtained from a transrectal needl e biopsy or a transurethral resection. All patients received antihormo nal therapy. Time until death was evaluated in all patients. Of the DN A histograms analyzed, 37 % showed a diploid pattern, 63 % an non-dipl oid pattern, and 37 % a tetraploid or hypertetraploid pattern. Kaplan- Meier plots were generated for analysis of the probability of survival . Mean survival time was 44 months for patients with diploid (range 1- 126 months) and 40 months for patients with nondiploid tumors (range 1 -96 months). This difference is not statistically significant. However , the combination of non-diploid and low-differentiated (G3) tumors re duced survival time significantly (mean 20 months, range 1-62 months). There was no patient with combination of a diploid and highly differe ntiated tumor.