MEAN NUCLEAR VOLUME OF BLADDER-CANCER - STEREOLOGICAL ESTIMATION AND ITS CLINICAL-VALUE

Mean nuclear volumes (MNVs) of bladder cancer cells from the specimens of 100 patients were estimated by stereological procedure. The value of MNVs of bladder cancer were ranged widely, from 114.6 to 1,041.9 mu m3. However, strong correlation was observed between MNV and histopath ological grade and stage. Furthermore, the MNV predicts the biological behavior including the malignant potential and prognosis of the patie nt. Patients with MNV below 315 mum3 had significantly better prognosi s than those with MNV above this value (p < 0.01). The 5- and 10-year survival rates for patients with MNV below 315 mum3 were both 97%, whi le those for patients with MNV above 315 mum3 were 65 and 58%, respect ively. MNVs of the recurrent tumors were significantly increased, comp ared with those of the initial tumors (p < 0.01). MNV of extirpated tu mor specimens following chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin and Adria mycin through balloon-occluded arterial infusion (BOAI) was significan tly decreased, compared with that before BOAI (p < 0.01). We conclude that the MNV is an excellent predictor for the prognosis of the patien t and the tumor recurrence. Furthermore, the stereological estimation of nuclear volume is a simple, quick, inexpensive, and reliable method to assess quantitative analysis of the histological and biological ch aracter of bladder cancer.