Relationship between nuclear morphometry, DNA content and resectability of pancreatic cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association of nuclear morphometry and DNA content with resectability of pancreatic cancer.


METHODS
A total of 36 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma were divided into resectable group and unresectable group. The nuclear morphometry and DNA contents of tumor cells were analyzed by IBAS autoimagine analyzer from paraffin-embedded materials. Localization size, histological type and grade, and clinical stage of the tumor were evaluated. Factors influencing resectability of pancreatic cancer were investigated using stepwise regression analysis.


RESULTS
Statistical significance was found in nuclear DNA content (integrated optical density, IOD) of tumor cells (1.64+/-0.41 vs 2.96+/-0.55), DNA ploidy, ages (46.5+/-5.3 years vs 58.6+/-0.7 years) and tumor volumes (298.1+/-101.5 cm(3) vs 634.7+/-512.5 cm(3)) in both groups (P<0.05), and no difference was found in the nuclear morphometry (P>0.05). The rates of diploid/tetraploid and aneuploid were 66.7 % and 33.3 % in resectable group respectively, and 38.9 % and 62.1 % in unresectable group, respectively (P<0.05). IOD (X(12)), ploidy status (X(12)) and clinical stage (X(3)) were radical resectable indicators with statistical significance. The regression equation for resectability was Y=-9.2053+3.5428X(12)+2.5390X(13)-2.3001X(3) (RR=0.8780, P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a high correlation between resectability of pancreatic cancers and their DNA contents, DNA ploidy status and clinical stage.
He
Yin-Cheng
YC
Department of General Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, Hubei Province, China. w030508h@public.wh.hb.cn
Peng
Wei
W
Qiao
Jian-Guo
JG
Cao
Jun
J
Chen
Ji-Wei
JW
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011003:Ploidies
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm