Differentiating benign nevi from malignant melanoma using DNA microdensitometry and karyometry and maturation: a zonal comparison, correlation and multivariate analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of cytometric features of DNA microdensitometry, karyometry (nuclear morphometry) and maturation and their combinations in separating benign nevi from malignant melanomas.


METHODS
Tumor cells were measured from each of the superficial, middle and deep zones of 81 melanocytic lesions using video image analysis for nuclear DNA content, chromatin compactness, and nuclear size and shape variables. There were 27 banal compound melanocytic nevi, 20 dysplastic compound nevi, 10 Spitz nevi and 24 malignant melanomas (MM). Maturation of cells with depth into the dermis was also studied by comparing cells from superficial to deep zones.


RESULTS
MM showed distinct characteristics of DNA microdensitometry, karyometry and maturation as compared to all groups of benign nevi. There were overall close correlations between nuclear DNA content variables and nuclear size parameters in the total group of 81 lesions. However, there were fewer significant correlations between the various indices in the group of melanomas alone. Using multivariate discriminant analysis, up to 97% of the lesions could be correctly separated as benign or malignant by a combination of five key microdensitometric, karyometric and maturation parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
DNA microdensitometry, karyometry and maturation parameters have independent abilities in identifying individual malignant melanomas. Coevaluation of various cytometric features and maturation profiles offers better diagnostic ability in separating benign nevi from MM.
Li
Ling-Xi L
LX
Melanoma and Skin Cancer Research Institute, and Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia. lawly@med.usyd.edu.au
Crotty
Kerry A
KA
Palmer
Allan A
AA
Kril
Jillian J
JJ
Stankovic
Roger
R
Scolyer
Richard A
RA
McCarthy
Stanley W
SW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002843:Chromatin / Q000473:pathology; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D003720:Densitometry / Q000379:methods; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007620:Karyometry; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D018332:Nevus, Epithelioid and Spindle Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D011003:Ploidies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
D002843:Chromatin; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm