Yonsei Med J.  1992 Sep;33(3):249-257. 10.3349/ymj.1992.33.3.249.

DNA flow cytometry in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma

• Jung WH
• Yang WI
• Park C
• Choi IJ

• KMID: 1120236
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.1992.33.3.249

Abstract

Flow cytometric DNA analysis was performed on 19 adrenal pheochromocytomas and 6 extra-adrenal paragangliomas in parallel with clinical and histopathological review to determine the usefulness of this technique to predict biologic behavior of these tumors. In pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas, tetraploidy or near-tetraploidy occurred in 32% and 33% and aneuploidy in 10% and none respectively. A case of malignant pheochromocytoma had diploid DNA content. Occurrence of aneuploidy or tetraploidy is frequent in clinically benign tumors in conjunction with a marked degree of nuclear atypia and cannot be a predictor of malignancy.

Keyword

Adrenal gland; pheochromocytoma; paraganglioma; flow cytometry; DNA content; histopathology

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/*genetics/pathology
Adult
Age Factors
Child
DNA, Neoplasm/*analysis
Female
*Flow Cytometry
Human
Male
Middle Age
Mitosis
Paraganglioma/*genetics/pathology
Pheochromocytoma/*genetics/pathology
Ploidies