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

Abstract

Morphometric features of nuclear perimeter, nuclear area, feret ratio, and feret circle were studied in a series of 64 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast in Singapore women. The results were compared with pathologic parameters of tumor size, nuclear grade, necrosis, cell polarization, and architectural pattern. There was statistically significant correlation between nuclear perimeter and area with all the pathologic parameters, with the strongest association observed for nuclear grade (P < .0001). Higher grade nuclei as assessed histologically were associated with larger nuclear area (44.14 μm2 in low-grade lesions, 47.77 μm2 in intermediate-grade lesions, and 72.05 μm2 in high-grade lesions) and perimeter (25.94 μm in low-grade nuclei, 27.12 μm in intermediate-grade nuclei, and 33.66 μm in high-grade nuclei). DCIS lesions with necrosis and absence of polarization also revealed increased nuclear area and perimeter (P < .05). Comedo architecture was associated with larger nuclear area and perimeter (65.97 μm2 31.7 μm) than the papillary subtype (42.17 μm2, 25.29 μm), with the mixed morphologic pattern disclosing intermediate values (54.83 μm2, 29.43 μm). There was direct correlation for tumor size with nuclear area and perimeter (P < .01). No similar relationship was found between pathologic 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.