Prognostic significance of the DNA content of renal carcinoma.

DNA analysis was performed on fresh frozen samples of the primary tumor in 32 patients with renal carcinoma (13 with apparently localized disease and 19 with metastases at presentation). A comparison of ploidy with staging and standard histologic variables was performed. None of the patients who presented without metastases died of disease during the follow-up period. Eleven of 13 patients of this group had a diploid/near diploid pattern, and metastases developed in only one patient. Patients with metastatic disease and a diploid/near diploid DNA content had a significantly better survival rate than those with aneuploid primary tumors. Statistical analysis showed that grade and ploidy contributed significant but independent prognostic information. We concluded that DNA content is a useful prognostic factor in renal carcinoma.