The prognostic value of morphometry in advanced epithelial ovarian cancers

The relationship between morphometric and clinical data was assessed in a series of 60 advanced ovarian carcinomas. Morphometric parameters included nuclear area, nuclear perimeter, shortest and longest nuclear axis, roundness coefficient, volume percentage of epithelium (VPE) and mitotic index. All patients had at least 5 years of follow-up. Univariate survival analysis showed that FIGO stage (P < 0.001), VPE (P < 0.001), mean nuclear area (P < 0.001) and size of residual tumour (P < 0.001) are significantly associated with survival. When the response rate of these patients to cisplatin combination chemotherapy was evaluated, variables with good prognostic outcome were residual tumour size (P = 0.01), mean nuclear area (P = 0.0006) and s.d. of nuclear area (P = 0.0019). We conclude that morphometric parameters are able to support diagnostic and therapeutic decisions.