Characterization of ovarian dysplasia by interactive morphometry

This study defines, by morphometric analysis, criteria for the diagnosis of ovarian dysplasia. Areas of surface epithelium, adjacent to Stage I ovarian serous papillary adenocarcinoma, were diagnosed as dysplastic and evaluated for architectural and cytologic changes by means of two specially designed interactive morphometric procedures. Statistical evaluation was based on stepwise discriminant analysis of multiple quantitative descriptors. A data base was generated by analyzing histologic slides from eight normal (control), and 13 malignant ovarian tissues. Confirmation of the diagnosis was achieved in each case. The histologic criteria for ovarian dysplasia differ from those used for ovarian borderline malignancy. Interactive morphometric image analysis offers an objective method for delineating cancer precursors that could be used in ovarian biopsies taken by laparoscopy or during incidental abdominal surgery. It could be applied to cancer precursors in other locations.