Flow cytometric analysis of nuclear DNA content of duct cell carcinoma of the pancreas

Background. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of nuclear DNA content analysis in determining the prognosis of carcinoma of the pancreas. Methods. Resected and paraffin-embedded specimens from 72 patients with duct cell carcinoma of the pancreas were examined, and flow cytometry was used to explore the relationship between DNA ploidy and TNM classification or histologic grade. Results. DNA aneuploidy was found histologically in 42.9%, 56.8%, and 71.4% of Grade 1, 2, and 3 tumors, respectively. DNA ploidy showed a statistically significant correlation with T category and retroperitoneal invasion. The cumulative survival rate of patients with retroperitoneal invasion was shorter than that of those without retroperitoneal invasion. Among the patients with retroperitoneal invasion, those with DNA aneuploidy had a significantly shorter survival time than did those with DNA diploidy. Conclusions. The DNA ploidy pattern, in combination with the presence or absence of retroperitoneal invasion, appears to be useful in predicting the prognosis for duct cell adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.