Computer-aided morphometric analysis of lymph nodes draining laryngeal carcinomas.
A new method of morphometric evaluation of nodal patterns in patients with laryngeal cancer was developed. In 8 selected cases with median tumor and unilateral metastasis, the morphometric data about the perimetastatic nodal tissue and contralateral node in the same patient were compared. The results showed the paracortical area to be consistently larger in lymph nodes without metastasis than in those containing metastases. The mean number of blasts, mitoses and postcapillary venules was also increased in the paracortical area in the non-metastasis-containing nodes. These data support the idea that delayed immunity may inhibit development of metastases. The need for objective morphometric methods in lymph node examination is emphasized.
D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis