Flow cytometric assessment of DNA ploidy is a useful prognostic factor for patients with granulosa cell ovarian tumors

Holland DR, Le Riche J, Swenerton KD, Elit L, Spinelli J.J. Flow cytometric assessment of DNA ploidy is a useful prognostic factor for patients with granulosa cell ovarian tumors. Int J Cynecol Cancer 1991; 1: 227-232. A major obstacle to effective management for patients with ovarian granulosa cell tumors has been the lack of reproducible and useful prognostic factors. Thirty-nine patients with granulosa cell tumors were seen at our institution from 1974 to 1985. Median follow-up for all living patients is over 7 1/2 years. Tissue blocks obtained at primary diagnosis were available for 37 patients, of these 13 were DNA aneuploid and 24 were DNA diploid. The presence of residual disease was found to be the most important predictor of disease-specific and progression-free survival. DNA ploidy was found to be an independent prognostic factor of progression-free survival (p= 0.023). Patients with residual-negative DNA diploid tumors have a particularly favorable outcome with a 10-year progression-free survival of 96% (95%CI 72–99%).