The Significance of DNA Ploidy in the Malignant Potential of Colorectal Adenocarcinomas

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between flow cytometric DNA ploidy and the potential for invasiveness and lymph node metastasis in colorectal adenocarcinomas. Materials and Methods: The study included 40 colorectal carcinoma cases that were examined with flow cytometry and light microscopy. DNA ploidy in 4 different areas (deep tumor tissue, superficial tumor tissue,normal adjacent mucosa, and lymph node metastasis) was analyzed with flow cytometry and compared with invasiveness and lymph node metastasis.Results: Statistically significant differences in DNA content were observed between the deep and superficial layers of tumor tissues. The rate of aneuploidy was similar in the deep region of the tumors and lymph node metastases.Conclusions: The results suggest that the level of aneuploidy observed in the deep invasive region of tumors was associated with lymph node metastases.