Value of DNA flow cytometric determination of proliferation index as a complementary prognostic parameter on bladder tumor

Choo, Myung Soo; Lee, Sang Eun

Abstract

The analysis of DNA proliferation by flow cytometry was performed successfully on 93 paraffin-embedded TCC specimens. We defined the proliferation index as hyperdiploid populations on DNA histogram and divided it into two groups, low-(<35% ) and high (>35%) proliferation index. On the basis of this criteria, proliferation index was evaluated as a complementary predictor of survival of the patients with bladder tumor. Proliferation index was well correlated with T stage (p=0. 0019) and grade (p=0.0152). For high proliferation group survival of patients with bladder tumor was significantly lower than low proliferation group (p=0.0063). Proliferation index, T stage, grade and lymph node involvement were significant variables as prognostic parameters in univariate, analysis but only T stage was a significant variable in multivariate analysis. In the intermediate groups, proliferation index was a good predictor of survival of the patients with muscle invasive. bladder tumor (T2, T3a) (p=0.0131) but not with grade II bladder tumor (p=0.7107). In conclusion. proliferation index is valid as a complementary prognostic parameter in TCC of the bladder, especially in the muscle invasive group.