Author/Editor		Pohar-Marinček, Živa; Bračko, Matej; Lavrenčak, Jaka; Us-Krašovec, Marija
Title		DNA ploidy as a prognostic factor in rhabdomyosarcoma: analysis of 35 cases with image cytometry
Type		članek
Source		Anal Quant Cytol Histol
Vol. and No.		Letnik 25, št. 4
Publication year		2003
Volume		str. 235-42
Language		eng
Abstract		OBJECTIVE: To correlate DNA ploidy in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) with other prognostic factors and patient survival and to search for possible reasons for inconsistent conclusions in similar, published studies. STUDY DESIGN: DNA content was measured in archival specimens obtained from 35 patients (23 children and 12 adults) with RMS. Cell suspensions were prepared by the modified Hedley technique, stained by the modified Feulgen-thionin .method and analyzed by automated high-resolution image cytometry. DNA ploidy was assessed on the basis of DNA index values. We used the chi2 test to correlate DNA ploidy with other prognostic factors, Kaplan-Meier procedure to estimate overall survival in terms of individual prognostic factors, log-rank test to calculate differences in survival between groups and Cox multivariate regression analysis to determine the independence of variables in relation to survival. RESULTS: A statistically significant correlation was found only between DNA ploidy and histologic subtype of RMS, patient sex and patient age. A hyperdiploid DNA pattern predominated among patients with embry onal RMS, and a tetraploid pattern dominated among patients with alveolar R:MS. The highest 5-year survival rate was seen among patients with hyperdiploid RMS, followed by those with diploid, tetraploid and hypertetraploid RMS. Although DNA ploidy was a significant prognostic factor in univariate analysis; it did not retain its independent prognostic value in multivariate analysis, in which patient age, tumor size and histologic subtype were the only significant factors. We found 12 articles reporting on the association between DNA ploidy and survival of patients with RMS: 6 found a correlation, and 6 did not. The main reasons for the discrepancies seem to be the inclusion of chemotherapy-treated and nontreated patients, low number of patients and differences in grouping DNA histograms. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters).
Descriptors		RHABDOMYOSARCOMA PLOIDIES IMAGE CYTOMETRY DNA SURVIVAL ANALYSIS PROGNOSIS NEOPLASM STAGING