[Image analysis of cell nuclear morphology and DNA content in osteosarcoma of the jaws]

The measurement of nuclear morphology and quantitative analysis of nuclear DNA content were made by Interactive Image Analysis System in 47 osteosarcomas of the jaws. The results showed that with a decreased degree of differentiation, the cell nuclei of osteoblastic and chondroblastic osteosarcomas came to be large and irregular, those of fibroblastic osteosarcomas, however, to be small and round. It was revealed that high-grade osteosarcomas had increased amounts of DNA and that the mean of DNA content, proportion of hyperploid cells and tumor ploidy were found to be of important prognostic value.