Prognostic value of nuclear grading assessed by image cytometry for node negative breast cancer patients.
BACKGROUND
Although nuclear grading is a useful prognostic factor for node-negative breast cancer, it is difficult to evaluate objectively. In this study, we show the heterogeneity of the nuclear area (NA), and predictive value of NA evaluated by image cytometry.


METHODS
The NA of over 100 cancer cell nuclei were measured by two types of image cytometer on 182 primary lesions of node negative (nO) breast cancer patients. The mean NA of invasive and intraductal cells were measured on separated regions. The nuclei for evaluation were selected using three different methods: all cells, invasive cells alone, and larger cells. The prognoses were compared after the cases were divided at mean + SD/2.


RESULTS
No differences were observed in the mean NA of each portion. The difference of disease free survival between the two subgroups by log rank test and the p-value of each method were, 0.82, 0.21 and 0.0076.


CONCLUSIONS
Only when larger nuclei were selected, was NA a significant prognostic factor for node negative breast cancer patients. The cancer cells with larger nuclei possibly represent the malignant potential of each case.
Kimijima
I
I
Department of Surgery II, Fukushima Medical College School of Medicine, Japan.
Watanabe
T
T
Abe
R
R
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000473:pathology*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019044:Image Cytometry; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis