A comparative study of nuclear form factor, area and diameter in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and reactive lymph nodes

The mean nuclear area, maximum nuclear diameter (Dmax) and form factor (FF) have been measured in 30 specimens of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and 10 reactive lymph nodes, using the Reichert-Jung (Kontron) MOP-AMO3 image analyzer. Nuclear area and Dmax were found to be greater in high-grade NHL than in low-grade lymphomas and reactive nodes. In addition, there was close correlation between nuclear area and Dmax, especially for low-grade NHL and reactive specimens. As a means of distinguishing between high- and low-grade lymphomas, however, the FF appears to be of little value.