DNA cytoflowmetry is considered one of the possible prognostic factors in the treatment of colorectal carcino- ma. DNA aneuploidy is considered a sign of an adverse prognosis. The objective of the work was to assess the relationship between DNA ploidy and the stage of the disease, long-term survival and standard tumour markers. The authors evaluated and followed up on a long-term basis a group of 115 patients operated on acount of colorectal carcinoma in 1997Œ1999. DNA aneuploidy was found in all 14 patients who at the time of surgery had remote metastases, in patients without remote metastases the tumours were aneuploidic only in 39% (p < 0.05). In patients with afflicted nodes DNA aneuploidy was found in 73%,where the nodes were not afflicted in 43% (p < 0.1). No relationship was proved between DNA ploidy and values of tumour markers. There was no statistically significant relationship between aneuploidy and long-term survival or death due to a relapse or generalization of the tumour. The authors conclude that DNA cytoflowmetry extends the opportu- nities for specification of colorectal tumours but so far does not provide results applicable in broad clinical practice.

        Key words: colorectal carcinoma - DNA - prognosis