Objective: One of the prognostic factors in breast cancer is the proliferation activity of the tumor. This study sought knowledge of this activity before surgery to benefit the design and timing of therapy.
Study design: Flow cytometric DNA analysis data from 52 diagnostic fine needle aspirates were compared with data from subsequent surgical specimens.
Results: The data showed that the coefficient of variation of the G1 peak was lower in the aspirates. Small, near-diploid peaks were detected more frequently in aspirate histograms than in surgical specimens. DNA analyses by flow cytometry from aspirates, which can be obtained prior to surgical treatment, were as reliable as those obtained from surgical specimens, provided that the cellular material was diagnostic of cancer.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that flow cytometry DNA analysis from the first preoperative cytologic specimen from a breast tumor will permit faster planning and coordination of breast cancer care.