Nuclear morphometry in canine acanthomatous ameloblastomas and squamous cell carcinomas

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Oral Oncology
• Quantitative Cytology

Background:

• Canine acanthomatous ameloblastoma (CAA) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are common oral tumors in dogs.
• Distinguishing between these entities is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
• Morphological assessment of nuclear features can offer objective diagnostic criteria.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic value of nuclear morphometry in differentiating canine acanthomatous ameloblastoma from canine gingival squamous cell carcinoma.
• To investigate specific nuclear parameters for their potential as diagnostic markers.

Main Methods:

• Automated image analysis was used to quantify nuclear morphometric parameters.
• Parameters included mean nuclear area (MNA), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP), maximum and minimum diameters (MDx, MDm), coefficient of variation of nuclear area (NACV), largest to smallest dimension ratio (LS ratio), and form factor (FF).
• Data from 8 CAAs were compared with 13 canine gingival SCCs.

Main Results:

• MNA, NACV, MNP, and MDm showed a progressive increase from CAA to SCC.
• LS ratio and FF were higher in CAAs compared to SCCs.
• Nuclear parameters (MNA, MNP, MDx, MDm) were similar between atypical CAAs and SCCs, while NACV was higher in typical CAAs than atypical CAAs and similar to SCCs.

Conclusions:

• Nuclear morphometry analysis can be a valuable diagnostic and prognostic tool in canine oral pathology.
• These findings support the classification of acanthomatous ameloblastoma as a malignant or potentially malignant lesion.
• Quantitative analysis of nuclear features aids in differentiating canine acanthomatous ameloblastoma from squamous cell carcinoma.