High frequency of DNA aneuploidy detected by DNA flow cytometry in Bowen's disease

To detect DNA aneuploidy in Bowen's disease, we investigated DNA flow cytometric analysis. Single cell suspensions were prepared from 18 fresh samples histopathologically diagnosed as solitary Bowen's disease and analyzed by DNA flow cytometry. In 16 (89%) of 18 lesions, DNA aneuploidy was demonstrated with a single aneuploid peak. DNA indices ranged from 1.29 to 1.74. The incidence of DNA aneuploidy in Bowen's disease is higher than those of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, which was 25-80% in the previous reports. Therefore, in Bowen's disease, DNA aneuploidy may not imply a good marker for characteristics of non-melanoma skin cancer. A single aneuploid peak commonly observed in Bowen's disease suggests that this disease consists of the monoclonal proliferation of keratinocytes containing abnormal DNA content. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.