Recently flow cytometric DNA analysis has been applied to a wide variety of malignan tumors. This test differentiates DNA diploid cancers from DNA aneuploid cancers. It has been recognized that DNA diploid cancer has a better prognosis than DNA
aneuploid cancer. This study examined DNA ploidy patterns of patterns of stomach cancer in 235 patients who underwent operations at the Department of Surgery, Kosin Medical college during the period of January 1979 through June 1981. For flow
cytometric
DNA analysis, paraffin-embedded specimens were used. The value of DNA ploidy as a prognostic indicator, along with TNM stage, histologic grade, Lauren's classification and their survival rates was evaluated.
The overall incidence of DNA aneuploid was 52.3%. Aneuploid incidence of TNM stage was 55% in stage I, 31% in stage II, 52% in stage III, and 66% in stage IV. Aneuploid frequency of histologic grade was 71% in well differentiated type, 57% in
moderately
differentiated type, 49% in poorly differentiated type and 32% in mucinous type. Aneuploid incidence of Lauren's classification was 58% in intestinal type, 55% in diffuse type, and 41% in unclassified type. Aneuploid incidence was 42% in young
patients(<40 years) and 59% in old patients(>50 years). Aneuploid incidence was increased according to the depth of tumor invasion. Patients with DNA diploid cancer(5YSR; 37.6%) had a significantly better prognosis than those with DNA aneuploid
one(5YSR; 25.0%)(P=0.004). In TNM stage II radical resection group, 5 year survival rate was 39.6% in DNA diploid group and 32.1% in DNA aneuploid group. In the same histologic grade, 5 year survival rate of DNA aneuploid group had poorer
prognosis
than
DNA diploid group. In the same type of Lauren's classifications, DNA aneuploid group showed poorer prognosis than DNA diploid group except unclassified type.
Prognosis of DNA diploid group was better than that of NA aneuploid group and positive correlations existed between DNA ploidy and other prognostic factors(TNM stage, histologic grade and Lauren's classfication) in respect to cancer prognosis. It
is
therefore concluded that DNA ploidy of cancer can be used as a useful prognostic indicator, if it is combined with other prognostic factors.
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