Nuclear chromatin texture in rectal carcinoma. Prognostic value.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prognostic value of nuclear features in rectal carcinoma.


METHODS
High-resolution imagery of 3,635 nuclei from 51 patients operated on for rectal cancer at various Dukes' stages was digitally recorded. A set of 93 features descriptive of the spatial and statistical distribution of nuclear chromatin was computed for each nucleus to derive a digital signature. Karyometric features were analyzed for correlation with progression of disease and death.


RESULTS
Multivariate analysis of main karyometric features in comparison with cancer staging demonstrated that total optical density and clumpness, as well as average nuclear signature, had significant prognostic value in predicting cancer-related death.


CONCLUSIONS
Digital signature seems to have a role as prognostic factor in rectal cancer. The method could be a useful parameter in deciding whether to perform adjuvant therapy in particular subgroups of patients, independently of tumor staging. However, these observations need to be substantiated with additional studies, including larger numbers of patients.
Rosito
Mario A
MA
Department of Coloproctological Surgery, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Damin
Daniel C
DC
Moreira
Luis F
LF
da Silva
Vinicius D
VD
Prolla
João C
JC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002843:Chromatin / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D020732:Cytogenetic Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D016019:Survival Analysis
D002843:Chromatin