High levels of DNA index heterogeneity in advanced breast carcinomas. Evidence for DNA ploidy differences between lymphatic and hematogenous metastases

Abstract

A marked DNA index heterogeneity can be found in primary and metastatic tumor sites when appropriate sampling is applied. There were no DNA ploidy subclasses, notably absent in either type of metastasis, indicating similar metastatic capacities of both DNA aneuploid and DNA diploid tumor stemlines in advanced breast carcinomas. The difference in DNA ploidy status between lymphatic and hematogenous metastases suggest that these metastases can be generated independently.