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Published on: July 25, 2011
Tumor shrinkage associated with whole-mount histopathologic techniques in oral tongue carcinoma
Drew Brotherston1, Ian Poon1, Raheem Peerani2
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Odette Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada M4N 3M5.
Abstract:
Shrinkage artifact of tumor tissue from histologic processing has not been rigorously quantified, particularly where the entire tumor is represented in a whole-mount specimen. Fourteen patients underwent partial-glossectomy for oral tongue carcinoma (OTC). Specimens were embedded into agar, cut into 3 mm blocks and photographed (macroscopic image), prior to histopathologic processing. Histology slides were digitized. Contours were made of tumor on both image sets and area plotted against block position. Volume estimates were mathematically derived based on these plots. The tumors shrank in volume by 20.2% (p=0.0006) on average; shrinkage by area ranged for all image pairs 0-48%. Tumor volume>median was significant in absolute shrinkage (p=0.002) but not percent shrinkage (p=0.42). Age, gender, and T stage were independent of shrinkage. This data shows whole-mount techniques produce shrinkage artifact in OTC that varies between tumors and blocks in the same tumor. In order to account for shrinkage, measurement must be performed case-by-case.
Insights
Histologic processing causes significant shrinkage in oral tongue carcinoma (OTC) tumor volume by 20.2%. This shrinkage varies, necessitating case-by-case measurement for accurate tumor assessment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Histologic processing of tumor tissue can introduce shrinkage artifacts.
- Quantifying this artifact is crucial for accurate tumor volume assessment, especially in whole-mount specimens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To rigorously quantify the shrinkage artifact in oral tongue carcinoma (OTC) specimens processed for histology.
- To determine the impact of whole-mount techniques on tumor volume and area measurements.
Main Methods:
- Fourteen patients with OTC underwent partial-glossectomy.
- Specimens were embedded in agar, sectioned into 3 mm blocks, and imaged macroscopically before histopathologic processing.
- Tumor contours were analyzed from both macroscopic and digitized histology images to calculate area and derive volume estimates.
Main Results:
- Oral tongue carcinoma (OTC) tumors exhibited an average volume shrinkage of 20.2% (p=0.0006).
- Area shrinkage varied significantly, ranging from 0% to 48% across all image pairs.
- Higher initial tumor volume was associated with significant absolute shrinkage, but not percent shrinkage.
Conclusions:
- Whole-mount histologic processing introduces variable shrinkage artifacts in oral tongue carcinoma specimens.
- Shrinkage can differ between tumors and even within different blocks of the same tumor.
- Accurate tumor measurement requires case-by-case accounting for this shrinkage artifact.
