Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Ploidy and Proliferative Characteristics of Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma Determined by Flow Cytometric Analysis

background : The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) index and the proliferative index (the fraction of cells in the S phase) can be independent prognostic indicators of the biologic aggressiveness of certain malignant neoplasms. objective : To determine whether the DNA index or proliferative index could predict metastases in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. methods : Nineteen different metastases from 15 patients with primary cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were reviewed, graded, and had DNA proliferative indexing performed by fluorescent activated cytometry. A control group of 13 patients with primary cutaneous SCC without metastases were studied in a similar manner. results : No significant difference between the metastatic and the nonmetastatic SCC groups for either DNA index or proliferative index (non‐paired t‐test) was observed. No correlative association with histologic grading with DNA index or proliferative index was observed for either group. conclusion : We conclude that aneuploidy and S‐phase fraction by fluorescent activated cytometry are not significant predictors of potential metastases in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. J Dermatol Surg Oncol 1992;18:957–960.