Analyses of dna content, nuclear size and cell proliferation of transitional cell carcinoma in man

Abstract

The DNA distribution in 31 bladder and 5 ureteric tumors was examined, and their proliferation was assessed by the in virto incorporation of tritiated thymidine. Normal bladder epithelium is polypoid; ureteric is diploid. Bladder tumors arise as diploid and progress to hypothetraploid and finally grossly aneuploid populations. Solid tumors are frequently very aneuploid but conservation of near diploidy may occur. There is no simple correlation between 3H-thymidine labeling index and histologic grade; the majority of tumors have low proliferative activity. Nuclear size is varied and can not be used as a guide to polidy in well-differentiated tumors.