With a lifetime incidence of approximately 10% in the general population, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is the second most common type of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Most CSCCs are benign and can be completely eradicated by surgery or other dermatological procedures. There is, however, a subgroup associated with an increased likelihood of lymph node metastases and, therefore, with high morbidity and mortality. This article analyzes the various factors that define aggressive CSCC. We propose a method for defining high-risk SCC on the basis of a series of major and minor criteria. This method will allow better prognostic evaluation and enable personalized management of patients with high-risk SCC, possibly leading to improved overall survival.

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The DNA ploidy of a series of 78 gliomas has been estimated by flow cytometry using cell suspensions prepared from paraffin embedded material. Apart from two oligodendrogliomas the tumours were all astrocytomas. Forty-nine (63%) tumours were found to have a diploid DNA distribution and 29 (37%) an aneuploid DNA distribution. The two oligodendrogliomas were both DNA aneuploid. No correlation was found between DNA ploidy and histological grade or DNA ploidy and survival. Both ploidy groups appear to have responded equally to therapy. In this study the factors associated with a short survival were advancing age and the presence of vascular endothelial proliferation, while the DNA ploidy and the cytological features do not appear as useful in predicting survival when examining biopsy material.

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