DNA Measurement: Its Value for Diagnosis and Prognosis

Abstract

The use of quantitative DNA analysis in human tumor material has increased markedly during the last years. Considering that benign tumors in general exhibit an euploid DNA distribution pattern, while malignant tumors are predominantly aneuploid, DNA measurements have been utilized as a complement to cytological or histopathological diagnosis in cases where additional information has been needed in order to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions. The main reason for the growing interest in DNA analysis is, however, the great number of publications reporting a relationship between malignancy potential and DNA ploidy in various tumors, such as mammary, prostatic, ovarian, endometrial, and thyroid carcinomas, where morphological malignancy grading is inadequate. These studies strongly indicate that nuclear DNA content is of important prognostic value.