Flow cytometry in small renal cell carcinomas

Flowcytometric (FCM) analysis of DIVA content represents an additional prognostic parameter for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This is especially true in the treatment of small-size renal tumors, where resection or partial nephrectomy is to be performed as part of an organ-preserving operation with elective indication. In a group of 245 patients with RCC, qualitatively high-grade histograms (CV < 4%) had been obtained flow cytometrically from fresh tumor tissue following transperitoneal tumor nephrectomy. In order to quantify the results, DNA content and stem-cell lines were determined in all samples. In 52/245 patients, the size of the tumor was under 4.1 cm, in 133/245 patients between 4.1 cm and 8.0 cm and in 60/245 patients over 8.0 cm. In these groups, the proportion of tumors with a low DNA index was 63.5%, 62.4% and 70.0%, respectively. The frequency of tumors with a high DNA content above 5 c (5c-exceesing-rate) was 7.7%, 7.5% and 10%. On the other hand, tumors with a diameter below 2.5 cm showed significant differences in their DNA-content.