[Prognostic value of nuclear morphology in colorectal neoplasms]

Cytomorphometry measures the main geometric parameters of the cell nucleus (area, min. and max. diameter, circunference) on ordinary histological preparations. It has been employed to asses the prognosis of breast and ovary tumours. The possibility that cytomorphometry, when allied with other parameters, such as age, sex, Duke's stage, bleeding etc., can be used in the prognosis of tumours of the large intestine is examined through a study of intraoperative biopsies from 44 patients followed after surgery. Univariate analysis showed that the Duke's stage and tumour site were significantly related to prognosis. The standard deviation of the maximum diameter and circunference were also related to survival with a negative correlation. Multivariate analysis confirmed the significance of the maximum diameter and the Duke's stage. These parameters were then used to calculate the relative risk. If due account is taken of the reservation expressed in the literature concerning the reproducibility of the data offered by cytomorphometry and its heavy dependence on the skill of the operator, it can be used to advantage in the prognosis of the colorectal tumours.