DNA distribution patterns in early gastric carcinomas. A Feulgen cytometric study of gastric brush smears.

DNA distribution patterns were studied by cytophotometry in 20 Feulgen-stained brush smears of early gastric carcinomas. Two different DNA distribution patterns, classified as predominantly diploid and aneuploid, were correlated with histologic data. Six of seven carcinomas of diffuse type were predominantly diploid. By contrast, 11 of 13 intestinal type carcinomas were aneuploid and two were diploid. Since the DNA distribution patterns recorded in this study were previously observed in advanced gastric carcinomas, this would suggest that the basic genetic make-up of the tumors does not change with tumor progression.