Deoxyribonucleic acid ploidy in endometrial carcinoma: a reproducible and valid prognostic marker in a routine diagnostic setting

Abstract

The objective of the study was to investigate the prognostic impact of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) ploidy in endometrial carcinoma in a routine diagnostic series as compared with a research series. We studied a population-based series of 363 endometrial carcinomas prospectively collected, with long and complete follow-up. The prognostic value of DNA ploidy was investigated in a routine diagnostic series (n=262) and compared with the results from a previous research series (n=101). The proportion of DNA aneuploid tumors was 21% in the research series and 25% in the routine diagnostic series (P=NS). In both series, DNA aneuploidy was significantly correlated to higher age at diagnosis, nonendometrioid subtype, and high histologic grade. Patients with DNA aneuploid tumors had significantly poorer survival, adjusted for established clinicopathologic prognostic factors. DNA ploidy estimation in endometrial carcinoma adds independent prognostic information in a routine diagnostic setting.