[Correlations between morphometric characteristics and the presence of lymph node metastasis in stage T1 and T2 breast carcinoma]

Minerva Chir. 1990 Dec;45(23-24):1447-50.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

In this study the relationship between cyto-morphometric characteristics of breast cancer and lymph node status was investigated. The study was conducted on 20 cases of T1-T2 breast cancer with node metastasis and 20 cases of T1-T2 breast cancer without node metastasis. About 100 nuclei for each patient were analyzed by means of a computerized image analyzer, and mean nuclear diameter, mean nuclear area, mean form factor and number of cells in 8 classes of diameter were studied. Mean mitotic index was also calculated. No statistic difference was found for all these variables, between the two groups. In conclusion, cyto-morphometric parameters although often represent an index of aggressiveness, they are not related to lymph node status. This one is, in fact, only an indicator of tumor's ability to spread, and tumor's diffusion can occur through different ways from the lymphatic one.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Female
  • Histological Techniques
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / pathology*
  • Prognosis