Stereological analysis of histological parameters in experimental premalignant hamster cheek pouch epithelium

Hamster cheek pouch mucosa was treated with the carcinogen DMBA in order to provide samples of epithelium in the various pathological stages of carcinogenesis. Stereological techniques were applied to histological sections of normal and carcinogen-treated epithelium in order to quantify cytological and tissue parameters that may be related to the features of epithelial atypia. The results were compared with values previously obtained for benign epithelial hyperplasia induced by a solution of oil of turpentine. Of the parameters investigated, the nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, nuclear numerical density and volume-to-interface area ratios were best able to distinguish between benign and premalignant epithelium. The ability to ascribe actual numerical values to histological features which are usually only subjectively evaluated may be a useful diagnostic aid.