Combined use of nuclear morphometry and DNA ploidy as prognostic indicators in nonresectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The introduction of combined modality treatment has only marginally affected the prognosis in nonresectable pancreatic carcinoma. Evaluation of easily, accessible prognostic variables could be of clinical importance when selecting patients for proper therapy. DNA ploidy and morphometric variables were chosen as prognostic markers and assessed on cytologic material obtained by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) from 128 patients with pancreatic carcinoma. The nuclear DNA content was measured by image cytometry. Patients were categorized as short-term, (≤6 mo) and long-term survivors (>6 mo). Ninety-eight of 116 nonresectable patients were possible to evaluate. There were significant differences between short- and long-term survivors with regard to DNA ploidy (pp