[An analysis of DNA content and cell cycle in nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relationship between the DNA content, cell cycle and the clinical stages of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

METHODS

The DNA content and components of cell cycle in the fresh tissues of 26 cases of NPC and 6 cases of chronic pharyngitis were detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

All the 6 cases of chronic pharyngitis were DNA diploid, 19(73.08%) cases of 26 NPC were aneuploid. The frequencies of aneuploid in NPC at T2, T3, T4 and II, III, IV stages were 55.56%, 77.78%, 87.50% and 50.00%, 75.00%, 77.78%, respectively. S phase fractions (SPF) were 13.70% and 29.34% in pharyngitis and NPC respectively; 18.45%, 41.83% in diploid and aneuploid NPC respectively. In diploid NPC at T2, T3, T4 and II, III, IV stages, SPF were 7.80%, 12.70%, 32.00% and 13.85%, 31.43%, 35.30%, respectively. In aneuploid NPC at T2, T3, T4 and II, III, IV stages, SPF were 14.04%, 17.59%, 19.57% and 15.10%, 23.33%, 32.08%, respectively. There were significant differences in stastistics between the parameters.

CONCLUSION

Aneuploidy is the main characteristic change and S phase cells may constitute the main proliferating cell population in NPC, which increase with the advance of NPC.