Abstract
One hundred and fifty-seven patients with usual colorectal cancer were analysed prospectively for DNA-ploidy, DNA-index and S-phase fraction (SPF) using flow cytometry. An abnormal DNA-stemline was observed in 68% of tumours. The patients have been followed for a median of 36 months. In univariate analysis, tumour stage was the most significant prognostic factor. After excluding patients with stage D disease, DNA-aneuploidy was significantly associated with a shorter survival and a shorter disease free survival. SPF, however, did not correlate with prognosis. In multiple samples from the same tumour there was on average a 29% difference between the highest and the lowest SPF indicating considerable heterogeneity in proliferative activity within the tumours. In diploid tumours the variation was even higher. Patients with proximal tumours as well as female patients had DNA-diploid tumours more often than the others. This may indicate that there are different, so far unknown, aetiological factors leading to different types of ploidy pattern.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
