Cellular DNA amounts of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region in relation to prognosis.

Cytophotometric measurements of Feulgen DNA content were made in individual tumor cells from 45 patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region. Eleven carcinomas were found to have a predominantly diploid distribution of DNA values, while the remaining 34 carcinomas were non-diploid. In 11 of the tumors--not entirely identical with the diploid tumors--50% or less of the malignant cells had DNA values exceeding the modal diploid value (DNA G1 + 2 S.D.), whereas 34 had higher DNA values. The non-diploid carcinomas and those where greater than 50% of the cells had DNA values greater than DNA G1 + 2 S.D. showed more advanced clinical stage, due to the presence of regional metastases. They were also associated with a poorer prognosis than the diploid carcinomas or those with less than or equal to 50% of the cells with DNA values greater than DNA G1 + 2 S.D. Cellular DNA amounts seemed to be of greater prognostic value than type of ploidy. The study indicates that DNA analysis may contribute important information of the biological behavior and prognosis of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region.