PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF NUCLEAR GRADING ASSESSED BY IMAGE CYTOMETRY FOR NODE-NEGATIVE BREAST-CANCER PATIENTS

Background: Although nuclear grading is a useful prognostic factor for node-negative breast cancel; it is difficult to evaluate objectively. In this study, we shaw the heterogeneity of the nuclear area (NA), an d predictive value of NA evaluated by image cytometry. Materials and M ethods: The NA of over 100 cancel cell nuclei were measured by two typ es of image cytometer on 182 primary lesions of node negative (nO) bre ast cancer patients. The mean NA of invasive and intraductal cells wer e measured on separated regions. The nuclei for evaluation were select ed using three differ ent methods: all cells, invasive cells alone, an d larger cells. The prognoses were compared after the cases were divid ed at mean + SD/2. Results: No differences were observed in the mean N A of each portion. The difference of disease fi-ee survival between th e two subgroups by log rank test, and the p-value of each method were 0.82, 0.21 and 0.0076. Conclusions: Only when larger nuclei were selec ted, was NA a significant prognostic factor for node negative breast c ancer patients. The cancel cells with larger nuclei possibly represent the malignant potential of each case.