Computerized nuclear morphometry and quantitation of angiogenesis in thyroid neoplasms

• Published in: Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research Vol. 21; no. 2; p. 247
• Main Authors: Kavantzas, N, Tseleni-Balafouta, S, Davaris, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-06-2002
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma, Follicular - blood supply; Adenocarcinoma, Follicular - pathology; Adenoma, Oxyphilic - blood supply; Adenoma, Oxyphilic - pathology; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Carcinoma, Medullary - blood supply; Carcinoma, Medullary - pathology; Carcinoma, Papillary - blood supply; Carcinoma, Papillary - pathology; Cell Nucleus - pathology; Child; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Middle Aged; Neovascularization, Pathologic - pathology; Paraffin Embedding; Thyroid Neoplasms - blood supply; Thyroid Neoplasms - pathology
• ISSN: 0392-9078

The aim of this study was to investigate the nuclear and angiogenetic profile in different types of thyroid neoplasms and to make any possible statistical comparison between the different nuclear morphometric and angiogenetic parameters, in order to search for new diagnostic and prognostic criteria. Sixty two cases of thyroid neoplasms were classified as follows: 31 papillary carcinomas, 10 follicular neoplasms (5 adenomas and 5 carcinomas), 5 undifferentiated carcinomas, 6 Huerthle-cell carcinomas and 10 medullary carcinomas. Using an image analysis system, six nuclear morphometric and eight angiogenetic variables were measured for each case. Concerning nuclear morphometric variables, statistical differences were found mainly between undifferentiated and overall subtypes of differentiated carcinomas, as well as between follicular adenomas and carcinomas. Concerning angiogenesis variables, statistical differences were found only in the vessel's minor axis length between undifferentiated and overall subtypes of differentiated carcinomas, between MVD of follicular adenomas and carcinomas respectively, as well as between MVD of medullary carcinoma and follicular cell carcinomas generally. In conclusion nuclear morphometry and quantitation of angiogenesis could offer two additional parameters in the distinction between follicular adenomas and carcinomas. However, they cannot serve as absolute diagnostic criteria since they are only based on statistical differences. From a prognostic point of view, nuclear morphometry may have some relevance as far as follicular-cell neoplasms are concerned since the more aggressive anaplastic carcinomas have a distinct morphometric profile. Moreover, our study revealed differences in the angiogenetic profile between medullary and follicular cell carcinomas.