The DNA Content of Tumor Cells. I. Polyps and Adenocarcinomas of the Large Intestine of Man

Abstract

The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content of individual nuclei was measured in cells from the large intestine of man. Normal epithelium, histologically benign adenomatous polyps, and adenocarcinomas were studied. Measurement was by microspectrophotometry of Feulgen-stained nuclei with a two-wavelength technique, utilizing cells in mitosis to eliminate variations from DNA synthesis in interphase. A basal diploid DNA value was given by lymphocytes present in the sections. Metaphases in both normal epithelium and benign polyps yielded DNA values closely corresponding to the expected mitotic doubling of the diploid amount. DNA value in telophase was half that of metaphase and corresponded to the lymphocytic value. Cells of the adenocarcinomas gave consistently aneuploid values, showing some scatter but grouped about two values in the hyperdiploid and hypertriploid regions. Either or both aneuploid values were present in each carcinoma, and showed no correlation with the histological grade of malignancy.