Nuclear morphometric analysis of T2 lesions of the rectum--a simple, reproducible method for predicting malignancy potential.
BACKGROUND
Using computerized nuclear morphometry, we searched for common, objective parameters for use in predicting potential malignancy of primary T2 tumors of the rectum.


METHODS
In 119 surgically resected T2 rectal cancers, the following parameters of the cancer cell nuclei were microscopically measured: mean nuclear area (NA), mean perimeter (PM), largest-to-smallest diameter ratios (LS), circularity factor (CF), and coefficient of variation of nuclear area (NACV). The calculated parameters were retrospectively analyzed and compared with patients' outcome.


RESULTS
NA, PM, and NACV correlated with recurrence. NA and NACV were significantly associated with disease-free survival. High NACV correlated with lymph node metastasis. In node-negative cases, high NACV correlated with recurrence and tended to be associated with poor prognosis.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that computerized morphometry is useful for predicting malignancy potential of T2 lesions of the rectum.
Ishikawa
Fumihiko
F
Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba City, Japan.
Saito
Norio
N
Koda
Keiji
K
Takiguchi
Nobuhiro
N
Oda
Kenji
K
Suzuki
Masato
M
Nunomura
Masao
M
Sarashina
Hiromi
H
Miyazaki
Masaru
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies