DNA flow cytometry of acinic cell carcinomas of major salivary glands.

Fifteen acinic cell carcinomas from an equal number of patients were analysed for their DNA content and proliferative (S-phase) index by flow cytometry from archival tissues. Seven of the carcinomas manifested a diploid DNA content. None of the patients with diploid acinic cell carcinomas died of their carcinomas and none developed metastases in follow-up periods extending for 10 or more years. Four of eight patients with aneuploid acinic cell carcinomas have died because of their malignancies within a 10 year period after the first surgical removal of the carcinoma. Five of the eight patients exhibited metastases. Although the number of cases does not permit strong correlations between histopathological features, abnormalities in DNA content and outcome of patients, it was noted that carcinomas with prominent necrosis, tubuloductal differentiation and 'dedifferentiated' areas displayed more aggressive biological courses.