Mean nuclear area of fine needle aspirates of primary preoperative palpable breast carcinoma using image cytometry.
OBJECTIVE
Early, operable breast cancers in appropriate patients are increasingly being treated preoperatively using neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A good response rate is seen with high grade tumors. Nuclear size, which may reflect the grade of the tumor, is also of possible prognostic value in breast cancer.


METHODS
We measured the mean nuclear area (MNA) of 114 consecutive preoperative fine needle aspirates of palpable, operable breast cancers. We used computerized image cytometry to measure nuclear area to determine tumor biology and possible grade prior to treatment.


RESULTS
Histologic grade distribution was as follows: low grade, 15%; moderate grade, 40%; and high grade, 45%. Mann-Whitney test for trend on tumor size and histologic grade between MNA showed a significant relationship between MNA and tumor size (P=.016) but no significance between MNA and histologic grade (P =.22). The chi2 and Fisher Exact Test between MNA and node-positive or -negative patients showed no significance.


CONCLUSIONS
When correlating MNA with tumor size and histologic grade, high MNA is present at a higher frequency as tumor size and histologic grade increase.
Sarker
Sudip K
SK
Cellular Pathology Unit, St. Mary's Hospital, Imperial College, University of London and North Region, UK.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000556:secondary*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000473:pathology*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019044:Image Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007620:Karyometry; D008875:Middle Aged
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm