DNA and RNA content analysis by flow cytometry in the pathobiologic assessment of bone tumors

Abstract

Studies of simultaneous DNA and RNA contents by flow cytometry in hematologic and some solid neoplasms have been shown to provide information that may be useful in the pathobiological evaluation of these neoplasms. We contend that similar analysis may be equally valuable in assessing bone tumors. Our data revealed significant statistical differences in DNA ploidy and proliferative fraction between benign and malignant bone neoplasms. Benign tumors manifested predominantly DNA diploidy and low proliferative activity, whereas the majority of malignant tumors were DNA aneuploid and showed high proliferation rate. No significant difference in the RNA content between different histopathologic categories was found. We observed, however, a distinct and consistently high RNA content pattern in giant cell tumors, aneurysmal bone cysts, and chondroblastomas that may be useful in their differential diagnosis. Analysis of different prognostic factors in malignant tumors indicated that histologic grade and DNA content are a significant prognostic factors. Further analysis of malignant tumors showed that a correlation between the proliferative activity and the clinical outcome in the low grade category and between RNA content and patients' survival in osteosarcomas. Our study also showed that preoperative treatment significantly impacted on the extent of the proliferative fraction in malignant tumors. We conclude that DNA/RNA analysis of bone tumor may assist in: (1) the differential diagnosis of certain bone tumors, (2) evaluation of treatment response, and (3) the biological assessment of osteosarcomas. o IWS w i~e y -u~~, Inc.

Nuclear DNA-Content in Mesenchymal Lesions in Dogs: Its Value as Marker of Malignancy and Extent of Genomic Instability

“…Our study indicates that the existence of aneuploidy in canine mesenchymal proliferative lesions is suggestive but no proof of a malignancy, in accordance with observations in humans [16,58,59,60], although it must be recognized that a diploid status does not rule out malignancy. This finding may lead to additional cytological/histological testing of canine mesenchymal lesions in which the results of routine diagnosis remain ambiguous.…”

“…For sarcomas in humans, a relationship between histological grade of malignancy and ploidy pattern has often been reported [16,20,59,61], but no such relationship was evident in our study. In part, this may be related to the relatively high frequency of hypoploid cancers, and the related presence of smaller nuclei, which might be judged lower grade by pathologists.…”

Differential Diagnostic Value of “Blue Reticulated Chondroid-Like Material” in Aneurysmal Bone Cysts

“…ABC is known to show diploid DNA contents, and TOS shows complex karyotypes and numerous gains and losses. [21][22][23] More recently, a cytogenetic study was undertaken for the confirmative diagnosis of ABC in which extraordinary lung metastasis occurred. The researchers could exclude secondary ABC associated with primary bone sarcoma, malignant change of ABC, and TOS by detecting the USP6 gene with florescence in situ hybridization.…”

Bone Lesions

“…176 In chondroblastomas of the head and neck, however, chondroid material is found less frequently than in the long bones and in some cases may be quite scarce. 179,180 Recurrent structural abnormality involving chromosomes 5 and 8 has been observed, suggesting a preferential involvement of these chromosomes in chondroblastoma. 172 There are hemosiderin-laden tumor cells and macrophages (pigmented cells) in 80% to 90% of head and neck cases.…”