Molecular biological observations in some rare neoplasms: DNA ploidy and cell cycle data in liposarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma

Abstract

Introduction: The prognostic significance of tumor DNA ploidy and cell cycle analysis for long-term survival has been examined in 19 patients with liposarcoma or malignant fibrous histiocytoma. In many cases, different tumor areas of primary tumors and local recurrences have been analyzed to reveal intratumoral heterogeneity. Results: Among the primary tumors, there were eight aneuploid tumors, three of which showed diploid and aneuploid tumor regions. Correlations among DNA ploidy, grading, percentage of S-phase cells and infiltrative growth pattern of the tumors could be demonstrated. Poorly differentiated tumors (G3) showed aneuploidy in six of eight patients. Aneuploid tumors showed S-phase cells in 17.2% (range 3.2–38.1%), which was higher than the percentage of S-phase cells in diploid tumors (9.4%, range 2.1–27.4%). Aneuploid tumors showed a more infiltrative growth pattern (6 of 8 patients) than diploid tumors (6 of 11 patients). The median survival time of patients with diploid tumors was 86.5 months (8–144 months), compared with 40.9 months (11–54 months) for patients with aneuploid tumors. Conclusion: DNA ploidy and percentage of S-phase cells may be considered as prognostic factors.