DNA cytofluorometry of giant cell tumors of bone

Abstract

A cytofluorometric evaluation of the DNA contents of tumor cell nuclei was undertaken in 6 cases of giant cell tumor of bone. These DNA histograms and DNA distribution patterns were compared with other bone tumors and each other.
1) By the method of cytofluorometry, it was difficult to measure accurately the DNA contents of the giant cell nuclei.
2) In the stromal cells, the nuclei, whose DNA contents were larger than 8C or whose DNA contents were intermediate between 2C and 4C or between 4C and 8C, appeared and increased. The DNA histograms and the DNA distribution patterns of giant cell tumor of bone were similar to that of the bone malignant tumors.
3) There were no ovbious difference between the DNA contents of giant cell tumor Grade I, II and III, and no ovbious difference whether this tumor had any recurrence and metastasis or not. In Grade I tumor, the proportion of the cell nuclei which had the DNA contents more than 4C seemed to be lower compared with Grade II and III tumor.
4) On the view of the DNA contents, giant cell tumor of bone can be identified as a border line lesion between benign tumor and malignant, or as an occult premalignant lesion. It is significant to measure the method of cytofluorometry also on this point.