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Characterization of the nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid content and nuclear morphometry in 71 primary cutaneous
N Renard1, D Goldschmidt, C Decaestecker
1Service d'Anatomie Pathologique, Institut Jules Bordet, Belgique.
Background:
While the determination of nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content (DNA ploidy level) and nuclear morphometry characterization has proved to be of prognostic value in melanocytic lesions, there are several ways of performing these determinations.
Objective:
To identify which of 9 DNA ploidy- and 2 nuclear morphometry-related variables are of prognostic and/or diagnostic value in 71 primary melanomas.
Methods:
Histological typing, Breslow depth determination, the evaluation of Clark's level of invasion and the 11 quantitative variables (calculated in Feulgen-stained nuclei using computer-assisted microscope analysis) determined for each melanoma were submitted to discriminant analysis.
Results:
The discriminant analysis of image cytometric variables enabled specific cell subpopulations to be identified in histological and the Breslow-related groups, but not in the Clark-related ones.
Conclusion:
The characterization of melanoma heterogeneity by means of the identification of specific DNA ploidy level-related cell subpopulations in specific Breslow-related groups enables the problem of intra- and interobserver variability in Breslow depth determination to be reduced and therefore can help dermatologists in their daily routine.