Ab. Hittelet et al., Discrimination between dysplastic and malignant epithelium of the ampulla of vater based on quantitative image cytometric data, ANAL QUAN C, 22(2), 2000, pp. 98-106
Citations number
23
Categorie Soggetti
Medical Research Diagnosis & Treatment
Journal title
ANALYTICAL AND QUANTITATIVE CYTOLOGY AND HISTOLOGY
OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability to associate histopathologic grading with
objective criteria obtained by nuclear image cytometry in epithelium of the
ampulla of Vater.
STUDY DESIGN: Forty-one resected ampullary specimens were studied, includin
g 8 dysplastic ampullomas together with 22 well-differentiated and 11 poorl
y differentiated ampullary adenocarcinomas. The nuclei were Feulgen stained
and analyzed using a computer-assisted microscope, which generated 38 quan
titative variables describing chromatin texture and nuclear DNA content (DN
A ploidy level). These variables were explored by discriminant analysis to
determine the most stable and informative variables. Univariate analysis wa
s performed on the four most informative ones. The whole set of variables w
as also subjected to principal component analysis in order to characterize
intragroup and intergroup heterogeneity.
RESULTS: The univariate analysis defined two morphonuclear variables (relat
ed to nuclear chromatin distribution) discriminating between dysplasia and
well-differentiated cancers. Aneuploidy occurrence was associated with disc
rimination between well-differentiated and poorly differentiated cancers.
CONCLUSION: While alterations in chromatin distribution may be an early eve
nt in the malignant degeneration of this epithelium, alterations in nuclear
DNA content should correspond to a later phenomenon. Quantification of the
se features can be exploited to assist in diagnosis.