Computer-assisted Nuclear Morphometry Research Articles

Quantitative morphology in canine cutaneous soft tissue sarcomas.

Stained cytological specimens from 24 dogs with spontaneous soft tissue sarcomas [fibrosarcoma (n = 8), liposarcoma (n = 8) and haemangiopericytoma (n = 8)], and 24 dogs with reactive connective tissue lesions [granulation tissue (n = 12) and dermal fibrosis (n = 12)] were analysed by computer-assisted nuclear morphometry. The studied morphometric parameters were: mean nuclear area (MNA; µm(2)), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP; µm), mean nuclear diameter (MND mean; µm), minimum nuclear diameter (Dmin; µm) and maximum nuclear diameter (Dmax; µm). The study aimed to evaluate (1) possibility for quantitative differentiation of soft tissue sarcomas from reactive connective tissue lesions and (2) by using cytomorphometry, to differentiate the various histopathological soft tissue sarcomas subtypes in dogs. The mean values of all nuclear cytomorphometric parameters (except for Dmax) were statistically significantly higher in reactive connective tissue processes than in soft tissue sarcomas. At the same time, however, there were no considerable differences among the different sarcoma subtypes. The results demonstrated that the quantitative differentiation of reactive connective tissue processes from soft tissue sarcomas in dogs is possible, but the same was not true for the different canine soft tissue sarcoma subtypes. Further investigations on this topic are necessary for thorough explication of the role of quantitative morphology in the diagnostics of mesenchymal neoplasms and tumour-like fibrous lesions in dogs.

Nuclear morphometry in cytological specimens of canine ceruminous adenomas and carcinomas

Stained cytological specimens from eight canine ceruminous adenomas and eight canine ceruminous carcinomas were analysed by computer-assisted nuclear morphometry. Three carcinomas had metastases in regional lymph nodes at the time of the diagnosis. The morphometric parameters evaluated in this study were mean nuclear area (MNA, µm(2) ), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP, µm), mean nuclear diameter (D mean, µm), minimum nuclear diameter (D min, µm) and maximum nuclear diameter (D max, µm). The study aimed to evaluate (1) the possibility of using nuclear cytomorphometry as an auxiliary diagnostic method to differentiate between canine ceruminous adenomas and adenocarcinomas, and (2) the prognostic value of nuclear morphometry in canine ceruminous carcinomas. The results indicated that (1) MNA, MNP, D mean, D min and D max could be used as effective auxiliary tools for differential diagnosis between canine ceruminous adenomas and adenocarcinomas, and (2) MNA, MNP, D mean and D max are reliable prognostic indicators for canine ceruminous adenocarcinomas.

Nuclear features in oral squamous cell carcinoma: A computer-assisted microscopic study

Background and Objectives:Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common tobacco-related cancers affecting the Indian population. Various malignancy-grading systems based on different histopathological features have been proposed for OSCC. Due to inherent subjectivity, inter-observer variation and reproducibility of a grading system remains a problem. Grading systems based on nuclear morphometry have been proposed for laryngeal, renal and pharyngeal carcinomas. In this study, an attempt was made to grade oral OSCC based on computer-assisted microscopic evaluation of nuclear features. Our intention was also to evaluate the use of Feulgen stain for studying nuclear features.Materials and Methods:Sections made from buccal mucosa biopsies of normal mucosa as well as different grades OSCC were stained by Feulgen reaction. The nuclear features were evaluated by computer-assisted microscopic image analysis for nuclear area (NA), nuclear perimeter (NP) and nuclear form factor (NF) and correlated with histologic grading of OSCC. Nuclear shape, membrane outline, chromatin clumps, nucleoli, and abnormal mitoses were also evaluated.Results:NA and NP were observed to be significantly increased in OSCC (P < 0.001) when compared with the control group. These values increased in correlation with increasing grades of OSCC. However, NF was found to more in the control group (P < 0.001).Conclusion:It may be concluded from the results that computer-assisted nuclear morphometry is a reliable tool for grading OSCC. A new grading system based on nuclear features for OSCC has been proposed.

Endometrial cytology and computerized morphometric analysis of epithelial nuclei: A useful tool for reproductive diagnosis in the bitch

New diagnostic approaches are required to recognize early canine hypofertility or infertility. We suggest that the identification of different cytologic types, cellular aspects, and nuclear features of the endometrial epithelial cells may be suitable for this purpose. This study was performed on the bitch ( Canis familiaris) during the physiologic reproductive cycle and in uterine diseases. We also applied computerized cytomorphometry to evaluate nuclear area, perimeter, diameter, density, aspect, and roundness of endometrial epithelial cells in healthy dogs (N = 35) at different stages of the reproductive cycle (before puberty, during proestrus, estrus, diestrus, and anestrus) and in bitches affected by uterine disorders (N = 10). The stage of the estrous cycle was determined by vaginal cytology and progesterone evaluation and also confirmed by clinical and histologic observations. Samples for endometrial cytology were collected in vivo by uterine flushing with transcervical uterine cannulation. After uterine sampling, each dog underwent OHE or uterine stump revision. Cytologic analyses were compared with histologic examinations to verify the uterine condition. The uterine cellular population was represented by endometrial epithelial cells, erythrocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, macrophages, plasma cells, and cervical or incidental vaginal cells. Bacteria and amorphous material were observed. The proportion of different cells and nuclear features in the cytologic samples varied throughout the stages of the reproductive cycle and between normal and pathologic uterine conditions. The computer-assisted nuclear morphometry, performed in cytologic specimens by means of the six nuclear parameters chosen to evaluate the endometrial epithelial cell population, proved to be useful for determining the stage of the reproductive cycle. Furthermore, this system was demonstrated to be a valid support to diagnose and distinguish uterine disorders.

Prognostic value of nuclear morphometry in spontaneous canine sebaceous carcinomas: a preliminary report

Stained cytological specimens from eight canine sebaceous carcinomas (CSCs) were analyzed by computer-assisted nuclear morphometry in order to evaluate the prognostic value of this technique. Four tumors had metastases in regional lymph nodes at the time of the diagnosis. The morphometric parameters evaluated in this study were mean nuclear area (MNA, µm2), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP, µm), mean nuclear diameter (D mean, µm), minimum nuclear diameter (D min, µm), and maximum nuclear diameter (D max, µm). Associations between MNA, MNP, D mean, D min, and D max in non-metastatic and metastatic tumors were assessed using the analysis of variance/least significant difference test (Statistica 6.0, StatSoft, USA) at a level of significance P < 0.05. The correlation between nuclear morphometric parameters and metastases to the regional lymph nodes was evaluated using Pearson’s correlation test (P < 0.05). The mean values of these parameters were significantly greater in dogs with lymph node metastases compared to parameters of tumor cells from dogs which were lymph node-negative. Significant differences in MNA, MNP, D min and D mean were seen between metastasizing and non-metastasizing neoplastic formations. The results from our investigation showed that nuclear morphometry is an objective and reproducible procedure that could be used as additional tool for evaluating the metastatic potential of CSCs.

Computer-Assisted Nuclear Morphometry in the Cytological Evaluation of Canine Perianal Adenocarcinomas

Stained cytological specimens from 18 canine perianal adenocarcinomas were analyzed by computer-assisted nuclear morphometry in order to evaluate the prognostic value of this technique. In each case, the nuclei of at least 100 neoplastic hepatoid cells were measured and the mean nuclear area (MNA), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP), mean nuclear diameter (D mean), maximum nuclear diameter (D max) and minimum nuclear diameter (D min) were calculated. There were significant differences in all of these parameters when non-metastatic tumours were compared with tumours in which lymph node metastasis had been identified. A statistically significant correlation was found between the survival period of the dogs and MNA, MNP, D max and D mean. The age of the dog, diameter of the tumour and presence of nodal metastasis were also correlated with survival, but there was no correlation with breed, sex or D min. These results indicate that MNA, MNP, D max and D min may be used as prognostic indicators for canine perianal adenocarcinoma.

Quantitative analysis in spontaneous canine anal sac gland adenomas and carcinomas

Stained cytological specimens from 7 canine anal sac gland adenomas and 11 canine anal sac gland carcinomas were analyzed 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 canine anal sac gland adenomas and adenocarcinomas, and (2) the prognostic value of nuclear morphometry in canine anal sac gland adenocarcinomas. The results indicated that (1) MNA, MNP, MND and NR could be used as effective auxiliary tools for differential diagnosis between canine anal sac gland adenomas and adenocarcinomas, and (2) MNA, MNP and MND are reliable prognostic indicators for canine anal sac gland adenocarcinomas.

Nuclear cytomorphometry in feline mammary gland epithelial tumours

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.

Use of Quantitative Analysis as a Method for Differentiation between Canine Cutaneous Apocrine Adenomas and Apocrine Carcinomas on Cytological Smears

Eight canine cutaneous adenomas and eight canine cutaneous carcinomas were analysed by computer-assisted nuclear morphometry in Hemacolor-stained cytological specimens. 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 results indicated an increase in the mean values of investigated parameters from canine cutaneous apocrine adenomas (MNA, 75.65+/-2.22; MNP, 31.05+/-0.55; MND, 9.62+/-0.14; NR, 1.10+/-0.009) to canine cutaneous apocrine carcinomas (MNA, 88.78+/-11.29; MNP, 34.38+/-2.43; MND, 10.43+/-0.76; NR, 1.21+/-0.07). The statistical analysis revealed statistically significant differences between benign and malignant neoplastic cells (P<0.01). The statistical differences between investigated parameters (P<0.01) were also found between the metastasizing apocrine carcinomas and all other examined carcinomas. The results indicated that the computerized morphometry could be used as an effective auxiliary tool for differential diagnosis between canine cutaneous adenomas and carcinomas on cytological smears.

Computerized Cytomorphometric Analysis of Nuclear Area, Nuclear Perimeter and Mean Nuclear Diameter in Spontaneous Canine Mammary Gland Tumours

Fifty-two spontaneous canine mammary gland tumours (fibroadenomas (n=8), tubulopapillary carcinomas (n=9), solid carcinomas (n=6), anaplastic carcinomas (n=7), fibrosarcomas (n=9), liposarcomas (n=9) and osteosarcomas (n=4) were analysed by computer-assisted nuclear morphometry in Hemacolor-stained cytological specimens. Computerized cytomorphometry was performed and the nuclear area, nuclear perimeter and mean nuclear diameter of investigated tumours were assessed. A minimum of 100 nuclei per lesion were examined. The statistical analysis revealed statistically significant differences between benign and malignant neoplasms. The results indicated that computer-assisted nuclear morphometry could be used as an additional method for differentiation of benign from malignant canine mammary gland tumours in cytological specimens.

Computerized Morphometric Study of Thyroid Follicular Carcinoma in Correlation with Known Prognostic Factors

This study investigates the correlation between computer-assisted nuclear morphometry and known prognostic factors in thyroid follicular carcinoma. Thirty-six patients with thyroid follicular carcinoma who underwent surgery between 1991 and 2001 were grouped according to sex, age, size of the primary lesion, the presence of vascular invasion, and metastases. Four nuclear parameters were measured and analyzed: mean nuclear area, mean nuclear perimeter, largest to smallest diameter ratio of the nuclei, and coefficient of variation of the nuclear area. Our results indicated that none of the chosen nuclear variables were significantly correlated with the prognostic factors studied. In conclusion, nuclear morphometry does not seem to correlate with known prognostic factors and cannot serve as an additional predicting factor for biologic behavior.

Pathologic aspects of prostate cancer: Prediction of malignant potential

Despite our expanding knowledge of prostatic histopathology, several controversies regarding the prediction of a tumor's biologic behavior still exist. Numerous histologic grading schemes specific for prostate carcinomas have been developed, but pathologists and urologists do not agree on which system is most accurate. Unfortunately, the Broders system, which is frequently used, tends to underestimate tumor grade and malignant potential. Recently, computer-assisted nuclear morphometry has added objectivity to the formerly subjective grading process, and improved prognostic accuracy for early and advanced disease. The relationship between tumor volume and grade remains controversial. Although it has been stated that volume and grade are directly related, our examination of radical prostatectomy specimens casts some doubt on this. While it can be shown that tumor volume is proportional to the surface area of capsular, penetration by malignant cells, tumor penetration is more closely related to histologic grade.