Digital image analysis of AgNORs in endometrial hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma

AgNORs are located on the satellites of the short arms of acrocentric chromosomes. Increased AgNORs have been observed in different types of cancer.

To analyze the number, size, and shape of AgNORs using digital imaging (DIA) in tissue from patients with endometrial cancer at different stages.

Forty-two sections of paraffin blocks of endometrial tissue were analyzed: benign lesions (proliferative and secretory) and neoplastic lesions (hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma), stained with silver nitrate. Photographs were taken, the number of AgNORs was counted, and the area and contour of nuclei were measured by DIA.

An increase in number (5.85 ± 4.15 to 13.55 ± 5.9), area (16.4 ± 5.7 to 29 ± 11.1), and nuclear contours (60.3 ± 4.9 to 79.2 ± 4.9) were observed, with p ≤ 0.05, ranging from benign to neoplastic lesions. Spherical shapes were more common in benign lesions (73%) and non-spherical shapes in neoplastic lesions (61.6%), with p < 0.000.

The AgNORs technique with DIA measurements is a simple technique that, when combined with other diagnostic methodologies, could aid in the differential diagnosis between benign and neoplastic lesions in endometrial tissue.