Image-DNA-cytometric analysis was performed retrospectively on air-dried touch preparations from gastric carcinoma from 122 patients who underwent surgery from 1989-1994. The results of DNA cytometry were compared with conventional histologic staging and grading. Aneuploidy could be verified in 81 cases (66.3%), and a significant correlation was demonstrated between aneuploidy and a high incidence of lymph node metastases, whereas no correlation with tumor type and histologic grade was detected. Thus DNA ploidy may by useful in predicting prognosis in gastric cancer.