1995 Volume 4 Issue 2 Pages 117-119
The AgNOR count is closely related to cell proliferative activity and analysis of the DNA content by image or flow cytometry is a reliable method of predicting the prognosis of patients with various cancers. In the present study, we retrospectively examined the relationship between the AgNOR count and the DNA content in 14 patients (7 males and 7 females) with surgically resected using paraffin-embedded sections. The AgNOR count and AgNOR area were examined by a silver staining technique and the mean nuclear AgNOR count or area for at least 200 tumor cells in each specimen was calculated using the CAS 200 Image Analysis System (Cell Analysis System, Inc., Lombard, IL). DNA analysis, all specimens were done using the Quantitative Ploidy Analysis Program in the CAS 200 Image Analysis System.
The DNA ploidy pattern and diploid rate (2c rate) of 200 tumor cells were calculated and the percentage of cells with an aneuploid nuclear DNA content over 4c (4c+rate) was also calculated.
The AgNOR count and tumor cell area of aneuploid tumors were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of diploid tumors. In addition, there was a relationship between the AgNOR count and the 4c+rate.
In conclusion, analysis of the DNA ploidy and AgNOR parameters may provide important prognostic information in bile duct cancer.
