The heterogeneity of DNA content in human cranial glioma

Objective:To probe into the complicated biological features of human cranial glioma.Methods:DNA contents of 21 astrocytomas(the most commonly seen human cranial glioma) were tested with flow cytometry.Results:In this 21 astrocytomas,12(57%) had heterogeneity with reference to DNA content.In this group,the tumour heterogeneity rate of grade I astrocytoma was 29%,of grade Ⅱ was 57%,of grade Ⅲ and Ⅳ was 86%.There was no significant difference between grade Ⅱ and Ⅰ,grade Ⅲ,Ⅳ and Ⅱ( P 0.05).But the heterogeneity of gradeⅢ and Ⅳ was significantly higher than that in gradeⅠ( P 0.05).Conclusion:Cell clons with different DNA content are found in different regions of an astrocytoma,it confirms that DNA content of astrocytoma is heterogenous indeed.