Computer analysis of normal and basal cell carcinoma mast cells

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequently observed neoplasm of the human skin. Mast cells are regarded as important cellular elements of all organs and tissues of the human body. They are involved in many physiological and pathological processes, including inflammation and fibrotic changes observed in BCC. The aim of our study was to characterise in detail mast cells observed in BCC and normal skin on the basis of computer analysis techniques.

Series of photographs obtained from histopathological biopsies of basal cell carcinomas from 18 patients, stained specifically for mast cells with Astra blue and nuclear red, were employed for the study. Control group consisted of series of photographs from normal skin obtained from 18 persons who underwent plastic surgery operations. All the photographs underwent digital computer analysis by means of a number of subroutines written in Delphi developed at the Technical University of Łódź.

Specific staining allowed for thresholding the image and subsequently mast cells were visualised as black objects on a white background. Those objects were then analysed in detail i.e. their geometrical features (area, perimeter, maximal diameter) were calculated. The employed image analysis techniques allowed for the differentiation and detailed characteristics of mast cells stained with Astra blue and nuclear red.

We observed that mast cells in BCC gathered mainly in fibrous stroma and were more numerous, had considerably larger area, longer perimeter and maximal diameter than normal skin mast cells.