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Analysis of pleural effusions using automated flow cytometry
Author(s) -
Unger Kenneth M.,
Raber Martin,
Bedrossian CARLOS W. M.,
Stein David A.,
Barlogie Barthel
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19830901)52:5<873::aid-cncr2820520522>3.0.co;2-v
Subject(s) - medicine , pleural effusion , flow cytometry , pathology , malignancy , effusion , ascites , peritoneal effusion , pneumonia , aneuploidy , malignant pleural effusion , radiology , gastroenterology , immunology , biology , biochemistry , surgery , gene , chromosome
Flow cytometry allows rapid and accurate analysis of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content of a large number of cells. In solid tumors, the presence of aneuploidy has been shown to correlate wall with the presence of neoplastic cells. Both cytologic examination and DNA analysis by flow cytometry were performed on pleural effusions from 33 patients. Results of the two examinations were in agreement in 10 of 12 malignant pleural effusion (two false‐negatives) and in 20 of 21 benign effusions. One patient with cirrhosis, ascites and Nocardia pneumonia had hypodiploid cells (false‐positive) in the pleural fluid. All patients who had a malignancy, but whose pleural effusion proved to be due to a benign cause, had cells with normal DNA content in their pleural effusion. DNA analysis using flow cytometry can be rapidly performed and is highly specific and sensitive. The finding of hyperdiploid cells is highly suggestive of malignancy.