Evaluation of DNA-content of Peritoneal Lavage Cells by Flow Cytometry in Patients with Gasteric Cancer

Background & Aims: Gastric cancer is the second common cancer in Iran and it has unfortunately no diagnostic signs in early stages. Considering the role of genetic and environmental factors in the development of gastric cancer, this study aimed at evaluating DNA-content of stomach cells in patients with gastric cancer in order to find a reliable index for prediction of disease prognosis and providing more exact therapeutic procedure. Methods: A total of 22 samples taken from patients with gastric cancer were evaluated. Peritoneal lavage cells were centrifuged and stained with DNA-staining kit. Then DNA-content was analyzed and compared with that in normal cells by employing flow cytometry and using modfit software. Results: In whole, 12 out of 22 samples were positive and DNA aneuploidy was present in 33.3%. SPF increase was observed in 22.2% of positive cases. Conclusion: SPF can be used as a reliable indicator in pathological staging of cancer and consequently in decision making for treatment