Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Cytofluorimetric measurements on the DNA contents of tumors cells in human thyroid gland

  • Original Papers
  • Clinical Oncology or Epidemiology
  • Published:
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The relative DNA contents of thyroid cell nuclei were measured in surgically removed thyroid tissue of 50 patients by means of cytofluorimetry. Smears were prepared immediately after removal of the thyroid nodules according to the classical Feulgen technique. The fluorescence intensities were always compared with those of healthy thyroid tissue prepared in the same way. In each case samples were investigated by the usual histology. The observations indicate that differentiated carcinomas of thyroid gland, have an increased DNA content of nuclei, at about the tetraploid level. Among them the follicular carcinomas (11 cases) showed an even higher DNA content of about 250% of the diploid level. Frequency distribution of the cell pools studied revealed a widely scattered aneuploidization of the malignant tumor cells. The benign adenomas displayed only a moderate increase of nuclear DNA content reaching only about 130% of the diploid value. Among the 22 adenomas classified histologically as of benign character, two cases showed very highly increased and widely scattered DNA contents. These latter two cases might be in process of malignant transformation. DNA cytofluorimetry may contribute to a more safe differential diagnosis of the “follicular neoplasia” of the thyroid gland.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Böhm, N., Sprenger, E.: Fluorescence cytophotometry: A valuable method for the quantitative determination of nuclear Feulgen-DNA. Histochemie 16, 100 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Crockford, P.M., Bain, G.O.: Fine-needle aspiration biophsy of the thyroid. J. Canad. Med. Ass. 110, 1029 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fujita, S.: DNA constancy in neurons of the human cerebellum and spinal cord as revealed by Feulgen cytophotometry and cytofluorimetry. J. Comp. Neurol. 155, 195 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Galvan, G., Pohl, G.B., Sterebisch, I.: Feinnadelpunktion «kalter» Strumaknoten bei 4555 Patienten eines Strumaendemiegebietes. Schweiz. Med. Wochenschr. 106, 1247 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Galvan, G.: Feinnadelpunktion kalter Strumaknoten. Münch. Med. Wochenschr., 119, 229 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Haemmerli, G., Sträuli, P., Schlüter, G.: Deoxyribonucleic acid measurements on nodular lesions of the human thyroid. Lab. Invest. 18, 675 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Haemmerli, G.: Zytophotometrische Untersuchungen an knotigen Veränderungen der menschlichen Schilddrüse. Schweiz. Med. Wochenschr. 100, 633 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedinger, Chr., Sobin, L.H.: Histological Typing of Thyroid Tumors. International Histological Classification of Tumors No. 11. Geneva: World Health Organization 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Johannessen, J.V., Gould, F.E., Jao, W.: The fine structure of human thyroid cancer. Human Pathol. 9, 385 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kempken, K., Droese, M., Bayer-Pietsch, E., Hör, G., Pabst, H.W.: Szintigraphie und Feinnadel-Punktion bei der Struma nodosa. Fortschr. Med. 96, 1369 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindsay, S.: Microspectrophotometric measurements of deoxyribonucleic acid in human thyroid carcinomas. Surg. Gynecol. Obstet. 131, 905 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Löwhagen, T., Sprenger, E.: Die punktionszytologische Differentialdiagnostik des testbaren Knotens der Schilddrüse. Verh. Dtsch. Ges. Pathol. 57, 155 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearse, A.G.E.: Histochemistry Theoretical and Applied, Vol. 1, pp. 254. London: Churchill 1968

    Google Scholar 

  • Rabenhorst, G.: The diagnostic value of the DNA content of fine needle biopsies of the thyroid gland. Virchows Arch. B. Cell. Pathol. 16, 379 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sprenger, E., Löwhagen, T., Vogt-Schaden, M.: Differential diagnosis between follicular adenoma and follicular carcinoma of the thyroid by nuclear DNA determination. Acta Cytol. 21, 528 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tasca, C., Stefaneanu, L.: Cytology and cytophotometry in thyroid diseases. Acta Histochem. 60, 261 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Walfish, P.G., Hazani, E., Strawbridge, H.T.G., Miskin, M., Rosen, J.B.: A Prospective Study of Combined Ultrasonography and Needle Aspiration Biopsy in the Assessment of the Hypofunctioning Thyroid Nodule. Surgery 82, 474 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zajicek, J.: Aspiration Biopsy Cytology, Part I. Basel: S. Karger 1974

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. First Department of Surgery (Director: Prof. Gy. Szeleczky), University Medical School, H-4012, Debrecen, Hungary

    G. L. Lukács & Gy. Balázs

  2. Institute of Biology (Director: Prof. G. Szabó), University Medical School, H-4012, Debrecen, Hungary

    I. Zs.-Nagy

Authors
  1. G. L. Lukács
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gy. Balázs
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. I. Zs.-Nagy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lukács, G.L., Balázs, G. & Zs.-Nagy, I. Cytofluorimetric measurements on the DNA contents of tumors cells in human thyroid gland. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 95, 265–271 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410647

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410647

Key words

Search

Navigation