Correlation of nuclear morphometry with pathologic parameters in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

Morphometric features of nuclear perimeter, nuclear area, feret ratio, and feret circle were studied in a series of 64 cases of ductal carcinoma in si tu (DCIS) of the breast in Singapore women. The results were compared with pathologic parameters of tumor size, nuclear grade, necrosis, cell polariza tion, and architectural pattern. There was statistically significant correl ation between nuclear perimeter and area with all the pathologic parameters , with the strongest association observed for nuclear grade (P<.0001). High er grade nuclei as assessed histologically were associated with larger nucl ear area (44.14 <mu>m(2) in low-grade lesions, 47.77 mum(2) in intermediate -grade lesions, and 72.05 mu m2 in high-grade lesions) and perimeter (25.94 mum in low-grade nuclei, 27.12 mum in intermediate-grade nuclei, and 33.66 mum in high-grade nuclei). DCIS lesions with necrosis and absence of polar ization also revealed increased nuclear area and perimeter (P<.05). Comedo architecture was associated with larger nuclear area and perimeter (65.97 < mu>m(2), 31.7 mum) than the papillary subtype (42.17 mum(2), 25.29 mum), wi th the mixed morphologic pattern disclosing intermediate values (54.83 mum( 2), 29.43 mum). There was direct correlation for tumor size with nuclear ar ea and perimeter (P<.01). No similar relationship was found between patholo gic parameters and feret ratio or circle, indicating that nuclear roundness or lack of it did not factor as a significant component in the pathologic assessment.