Argyrophylic nucleolar organiser regions (AgNOR's) as a prognostic indicator in breast carcinoma.
Silver staining nucleolar organiser regions (AgNOR's) were determined in archival histological specimens of breast carcinoma. Representative samples from forty-eight female patients were counted manually for AgNOR's--median 3.85 (range 1.1-10.2 AgNOR's per cell). Taking the median value of 3.85 as a cutoff, the patients were divided into two groups: A = Those with AgNOR counts > 3.85; B = Patients with AgNOR counts < or = 3.85. The 5 year survival was 21% in group A and 85% in group B (p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between AgNOR's and tumour size, lymph node status, tumour grade, menopausal status and oestrogen receptors. We conclude that nucleolar organiser regions may be useful as a prognostic indicator in breast carcinoma especially in patients in whom other prognostic information is unavailable.
Hehir
D J
DJ
Department of Surgery, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin.
Cronin
K J
KJ
Dervan
P A
PA
McCann
A
A
Carney
D N
DN
Hederman
W P
WP
Heffernan
S J
SJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009697:Nucleolus Organizer Region / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D016622:Silver Staining