Nuclear DNA content in anaplastic giant-cell thyroid carcinoma.

Abstract The nuclear DNA content was measured in 36 cases of anaplastic giant-cell thyroid carcinoma registered at Radiumhemmet, Karolinska Hospital, Sweden, between November 1973 and December 1985. The DNA content was measured in morphologically identified single tumor cells by image cytometry. Either fine needle aspirate material or histologic sections from primary tumors, recurrences, or metastases were studied. All tumors were aneuploid. Aneuploidy decreased in four of seven tumors studied sequentially. Analysis of the nuclear DNA content did not provide additional prognostic information and did not explain why occasional patients enjoy longer survival than expected.