3-D fractal tumor growth of epithelial ovarian cancer.
OBJECTIVE
A fractal is a shape made of parts similar to the whole. Our objective was to determine whether surface growth patterns in malignant epithelial ovarian tumors are 3-D fractal, and if the mean fractal dimension differs according to histologic types.


METHODS
After the images of photographs of 139 resected malignant epithelial ovarian tumors were digitized, the fractal dimensions of surface of solid portions were measured using 3-D fractal analysis software.


RESULTS
The mean fractal dimensions of the surface of a solid area of tumor in serous, mucinous, endometrioid, and clear cell adenocarcinoma were 2.320, 2.224, 2.229, and 2.298, respectively. Those of serous and mucinous cystadenoma of low malignant potential (LMP) were 2.398 and 2.282, respectively. These values were significantly greater than the topological dimension of a surface (= 2). The mean fractal dimensions of a solid area of tumor inside the cyst for serous, mucinous, endometrioid, and clear cell carcinoma were 2.347, 2.223, 2.228, and 2.310, respectively. The values for serous and mucinous cystadenoma of LMP were 2.398 and 2.282, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that the surface of a solid area of malignant epithelial ovarian tumors has a 3-D fractal structure, and the mean fractal dimension may differ according to histologic types.
Kikuchi
A
A
Department of Obstetrics, Center for Perinatal Medicine, Nagano Children's Hospital, Nagano, Japan.
Kozuma
S
S
Yasugi
T
T
Taketani
Y
Y
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018293:Cystadenoma, Serous / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D017709:Fractals; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D010781:Photography; D012189:Retrospective Studies