Interpretation of microscopic image analysis of cell nuclei

This study shows that microscopic image analyses of nuclear DNA have common characteristics among fixation methods and tissue types. We find that microscopic imaging measurements require both nuclear area and DNA concentration to properly convey diagnostic information. Algorithms are developed which enable infiltrating lymphocytes to act as internal DNA controls for each sample. The DNA content and patterns measured by microscopic imaging were found to be related to patient survival and to cytologic diagnosis.