Abstract
The value of DNA ploidy as a prognostic indicator is well established in many cancers, but recent studies in childhood rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) have been contradictory. In a retrospective study of 128 cases of soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) diagnosed since 1980, the prognostic value of clinical, histological and flow cytometric parameters was compared, using univariate and multivariate methods. Eighty-one RMSs, 18 extraosseous Ewing's (EOE)/peripheral neuroectodermal tumours (PNETs) and 29 other non-RMS STSs were histologically and clinically reviewed. Five year actuarial survival was 63.4% for all STSs and 69.4% for RMSs. Paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were available for flow cytometry in 90 cases. Of the RMSs, 65.5% were aneuploid [DNA index (DI) > 1.1] compared with 23% of the EOE/PNETs and 31% of non-RMS STSs. Median S-phase was also significantly higher in RMSs (17.0%) than in other STSs (10.8%) (P = 0.0023). Univariate analysis in RMSs showed that stage, ploidy status, S-phase, site and tumour size all had a significant impact on survival. In multivariate analysis of 59 cases of RMS, one clinical and two flow cytometric parameters were independently associated with poor prognosis. These were stage (IV), nonhyperdiploidy (DI < 1.10 and > 1.8) and a high rate of proliferative activity (S-phase > 14.0%). These results confirm that ploidy and S-phase are important new prognostic indicators in rhabdomyosarcoma.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 24 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $10.79 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Niggli, F., Powell, J., Parkes, S. et al. DNA ploidy and proliferative activity (S-phase) in childhood soft-tissue sarcomas: their value as prognostic indicators. Br J Cancer 69, 1106–1110 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1994.217
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1994.217
This article is cited by
-
Myostatin inhibits rhabdomyosarcoma cell proliferation through an Rb-independent pathway
Oncogene (2004)
-
Anchorage-independent multi-cellular spheroids as an in vitro model of growth signaling in Ewing tumors
Oncogene (2002)
-
Pathologic Classification of Rhabdomyosarcomas and Correlations with Molecular Studies
Modern Pathology (2001)
-
Flow Cytometry DNA Applications in Pediatric Tumor Pathology
Pediatric and Developmental Pathology (2000)