DNA Cytophotometry of acinic cell carcinoma and its relation to prognosis

Single-cell DNA cytophotometry has been assessed on histological sections or aspiration biopsy smears from 13 parotid acinic cell carcinomas and has been related to prognosis. The minimal follow-up was 6 years. Six ACC were well differentiated and seven moderately well differentiated. The modal DNA values of all tumours examined were in the diploid area. The number of nuclei above 2.5 C DNA, expressing proliferative ability or aneuploidy, was low. A difference, too small to be of value for prognostic purposes, was found between the non-recurrent tumours (6%) and the metastasizing tumours (16 %). The DNA levels measured in the present tumour material correspond to the concept of ACC as being a well differentiated neoplasm. The nuclear DNA pattern of these tumours would seem to be of minor prognostic significance with regard to survival time and/or potential for metastasis