Prognostic significance of standardized AgNOR analysis in early and advanced gastric carcinomas.
To assess the prognostic significance of silver-stained nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) proteins, a standardized AgNOR analysis was performed on 78 patients affected by early (EGC, n=24) or advanced (AGC, n=54) gastric carcinomas. The histopathological diagnosis, grading and staging were done according to WHO and UICC recommendations; the mean follow-up time was 56.9 months. Visualization and quantification of AgNORs were made in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections as specified in the guidelines of the Committee on AgNOR Quantification (1995). Statistical analysis was performed on the mean AgNOR area values (NORA). Highly significant differences (P<0.001) were found in NORA values between EGC and AGC, between low- and high-grade gastric carcinomas and between patients dead from gastric cancer and living patients. In addition, significant P values were found on comparison of NORA values relating to pT status, pN status and stage. Comparison of Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that patients affected by gastric carcinomas with higher NORA values (>5.213 microm2) had a worse prognosis. Finally, using Cox multiple regression analysis, the AgNOR quantity emerged as a useful independent prognostic variable to predict the final outcome of patients affected by EGC or AGC.
Department of Human Pathology, Polyclinic Pad. D, University of Messina, Italy.
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Giuffrè
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Caruso
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Barresi
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Tuccari
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009697:Nucleolus Organizer Region / Q000737:chemistry; D011379:Prognosis; D016622:Silver Staining; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate