Metabolic activity in normal and abnormal vulvar epithelia: An assessment by the use of tritiated nucleic acid precursors

Abstract

1.1. Metabolic activity of the vulvar epithelium, in the normal and in certain diseased states, was evaluated by incubation of the fresh tissue with tritiated precursors of ribonucleic acid (uracil) and deoxyribonucleic acid (thymidine).2.2. It was recognized that, in general, metabolic activity seemed to be directly correlated to the anaplastic activity. Invasive cancer was the lone exception.3.3. Lichen sclerosus, belying its atrophic appearance, was metabolically active, as recognized by the percentage of labeled cells which approach that noted in carcinoma in situ and invasive cancer.4.4. Increased activity of normal-appearing skin adjacent to anaplastic lesions suggests a reason for the frequency of local recurrences, and may offer a means of evaluating the activity of the tissues at the limits of surgical excision.