[Argyrophilic nucleolar organizers in squamous changes in bronchial epithelium]

Argyrophil technique for presentation of interphase nucleolar organiser regions (AgNOR) is becoming an important method in tumour pathology which is used in diagnosis and prognosis. The number of interphase AgNOR is in the strict correlation with the degree of cell proliferation. We have used this technique in evaluation of degree of differentiation and proliferation of squamous changes of the epithelium of the bronchial mucosa. The statistically significant differences were found (p < 0.01) in the number of AgNOR by nucleus in cells of benignant squamous metaplasia (3.31) and epidermoid bronchial carcinoma (5.34). On the basis of numerical values of AgNOR epidermoid bronchial carcinomas could be divided into the group with low proliferative capability (AgNOR < 5.34) and in the group with high degree of proliferation (AgNOR > 5.34). Prognosis of patients with tumours with the high AgNOR value is poorer and they require additional systemic chemotherapy regardless of the clinical state of the disease at the moment of surgical intervention.