Nuclear cytomorphometry in feline mammary gland epithelial tumours

Abstract

Stained cytological specimens from 35 feline mammary gland epithelial tumours (4 adenomas, 11 tubulopapillary carcinomas 13 solid carcinomas and 7 cribriform carcinomas) were analysed by computer-assisted nuclear morphometry. In each case, the nuclei of at least 100 neoplastic cells were measured, and the mean nuclear area (MNA), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP), mean nuclear diameter (MND) and nuclear roundness (NR) were calculated. The study aimed to evaluate (1) the possibility of using nuclear cytomorphometry as an auxiliary diagnostic method to differentiate between benign and malignant feline mammary gland epithelial tumours, and (2) the prognostic value of nuclear morphometry in feline mammary carcinomas. The results indicated that MNA, MNP, MND and NR could be a useful adjunct in diagnosis but are not reliable prognostic indicators for feline mammary gland carcinomas.