Role of DNA Measurements of Head and Neck Tumors

Abstract

The measurement of DNA ploidy has been used as a tool to try to determine the prognosis of many neoplasms. DNA ploidy can be determined by flow cytometry or image analysis of a tumor. In squamous carcinomas of the head and neck, a poorer prognosis has been associated with nondiploid tumors. Similar results have been obtained from studies of salivary gland neoplasms. The role of DNA ploidy as a provider of independent information has yet to be determined. With rarer head and neck tumors, measurement of tumor ploidy has yet to be established as a valuable adjunct to routine light microscopic study.