Ploidy study in oral carcinomas: use of improved methodology to assess its clinical prognostic value

ObjectiveThis study reports a ploidy analysis in oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) using methodologic adjustments to improve the accuracy of the measurements and derive numeric indices of aggressiveness of prognostic value.Study designSixty-seven SCC were assessed by DNA image cytometry in the areas of the histologic sections with most atypia. Five indices of aggressiveness were analyzed in relation to the clinical-pathologic data and evolution of the patients.ResultsThe mean value of the index of deviation from the diploid value (2cDi) and malignancy index (Mi), taken as a cut-off value, defined 2 populations with statistically significant differences in survival. In patients with tumors in clinical stages III and IV (TNM classification), the Mi also exhibited prognostic value.ConclusionsThe 2cDi and Mi can be used, under certain methodologic conditions, as an objective indicator of prognostic value of the degree of aggressiveness of oral SCC.