FEULGEN-DNA VALUES IN THE CYTOLOGY OF URINARY BLADDER CANCER

Abstract

The DNA values, determined by a microspectrophotometer, of the cells separated from fixed specimens of bladder cancer were compared according to the grade and stage of cancer tissues. The histogram of nuclear DNA values showed a flattness of the mode, a deviation of stem line to the right, and an increased incidence of polyploid cells in accordance with the increase in both grade and stage of cancer. Prognosis seems to be related more closely to DNA values of cancer tissues than to the stage and grade of cancer.
To make urinary cytology objective, DNA values of exfoliated cells from fresh cancer tissues and the cells in urine in the same patients were compared. A histogram of nuclear DNA values of exfoliated cells in urine showed a pattern similar to that in exfoliated cells from fresh cancer tissues. In addition to dignosis of cancer, diagnosis of its grade could be made in some cases by determining nuclear DNA values of exfoliated cells in urine. When combined with an automatic instrument for measuring DNA values, urinary cytology can be made automatically.