Histopathology, morphometry, and nuclear DNA content of iris melanocytic lesions.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the histologic, morphometric and nuclear DNA content of a group of benign and malignant melanocytic lesions of the iris.


METHODS
Forty-four surgically excised melanocytic lesions of the iris were histologically classified as nevus or melanoma. Morphometric analysis using a digital filar micrometer (LaSICO 1602N-10 and 5-4A) measured the mean size of the 10 largest nucleoli, and Feulgen staining and image cytometry (CAS 200 Cell Analysis Systems) analyzed the nuclear DNA ploidy in the lesions. Patient follow-up information was obtained whenever possible.


RESULTS
Sixteen cases were histologically classified as nevi and twenty-eight cases as melanoma. The mean of the 10 largest nucleoli of the nevi was smaller than the mean among the melanomas (1.772 microns [SD = 0.366] and 2.773 microns [SD = 0.565], respectively). Feulgen staining revealed that all lesions were diploid, with the exception of two hyperdiploid and two hypodiploid melanomas. Of the patients with follow-up information available, none with nevi developed a metastasis and two with melanoma died of metastatic disease.


CONCLUSIONS
The histologic classification of iris melanocytic lesions (i.e., nevus versus melanoma) correlates to nucleolar size (P < 0.001) but not to nuclear DNA ploidy.
Grossniklaus
H E
HE
Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
Oakman
J H
JH
Cohen
C
C
Calhoun
F P
FP
DeRose
P B
PB
Drews-Botsch
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002466:Cell Nucleolus / Q000473:pathology; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry; D002648:Child; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015811:Iris Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D011003:Ploidies; D016019:Survival Analysis
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm