Comparative nuclear morphometric analysis of aggressive and non-aggressive squamous cell carcinomas of the skin

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are the most frequent tumours complicating organ transplantation. Whereas most SCC can be successfully treated with conventional surgery, other lesions show an aggressive course with recurrence and metastases. We assessed the value of nuclear morphometry in detecting tumours with an ab initio potential for aggressive course. Nuclear perimeter, area, feret X and feret Y were calculated semi-automatically on an image analyzer on histological sections of 15 non-aggressive, 15 aggressive and 6 recurrent SCC developed in seven organ graft recipients. We found statistically significant differences for all the parameters studied between recurrent and initially aggressive SCC, and, to a lesser extent, between non-aggressive and aggressive SCC. These results suggest that some SCC have ab initio a potential for more aggressive evolution; morphometry can be a useful adjunct in order to better study these lesions.