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Mean nuclear area and chromosomal DNA content of squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity using computerized image analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

S. K. Sarker*
Affiliation:
Department of Cytopathology, CytogeneticsSt Mary's Hospital Medical School, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of London, London, UK. Department of Cytopathology, Academic SurgerySt Mary's Hospital Medical School, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of London, London, UK. Department of CytopathologyHead and Neck Unit, St Mary's Hospital Medical School, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of London, London, UK.
K. S. Patel
Affiliation:
Department of CytopathologyHead and Neck Unit, St Mary's Hospital Medical School, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of London, London, UK.
*
Address for communication: S. K. Sarker, Cytopathology and Cytogenetics Unit, Clarence wing, St Mary's Hospital Medical School, Praed Street, London W2 1NY.

Abstract

Morphometric measurements of nuclei may be of prognostic value in some cancers. In this present study we have evaluated the mean nuclear area (MNA) of 50 squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity (SCCOC) using computerized image analysis. Since chromosomal DNA content is a reflection of the DNA content in the nucleus, we have evaluated the relationship between MNA and chromosomal DNA. Thirteen tumours had a MNA greater than 49.9 μm2 and 37 had a MNA less than this. Six tumours were classified as hypodiploid, 29 as diploid and 15 as aneuploid. There were 44 node-negative patients and six node-positive. When comparing MNA in these groups, 50 per cent of node-positive patients had a larger MNA whilst only 20 per cent of the node-negative group had a large MNA. The correlation coefficient between MNA and DNA indices was r = 0.75. The greater nuclear size is possibly a reflection of a more aggressive tumour biology in the node-positive patients. We conclude that a large MNA may be a marker of aggressive tumour biology in this group. In the future, we aim to evaluate the prognostic significance of MNA in patients with SCCOC.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1997

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