Mean nuclear area of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck using image cytometry.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if mean nuclear area (MNA) in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN) correlate with the TNM system and histologic grade.


METHODS
We measured MNA by image cytometry on 74 primary SCCHN. Fify-five had primary surgery, 16 had radiotherapy, and 3 and both as their primary treatment.


RESULTS
The mean MNA was 47.85 microm2 (range, 20.5-84.8). Tumor size, nodal status and histologic grade were, respectively: T1 = 13, T2 = 29, T3 = 18, T4 = 14; N0 = 53, N1 = 15, N2 = 5, N3 = 1; 17 = well, 38 = moderate, 19 = poorly differentiated. Spearman rank and Kruskal-Wallis tests for MNA/histologic grade, MNA/tumor size, MNA/nodal status and MNA/site were calculated; only MNA/node was statistically significant (P<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
MNA increases in primary SCCHN as nodal involvement increases. This may reflect that high MNA may be a biologic marker of primary SCCHN with a poorer prognosis.
Sarker
S K
SK
Head and Neck Unit, St. Mary's Hospital, London, UK.
Patel
K S
KS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000556:secondary; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D019044:Image Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007620:Karyometry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis