Value of AgNOR counts and morphometric analysis of nuclear parameters in premalignant and malignant lesions of the uterine cervix.

Fifty cervical samples from women with mild, moderate and severe dysplasia and with preinvasive and invasive cancer were stained according to AgNOR method and examined quantitatively. Morphometric investigation were performed by means of a computer image analysis system to evaluate whether number of AgNORs per nucleus, number of AgNORs per 1 micron 2 of nuclear area, nuclear area and nuclear outline may be helpful in morphological differentiation of examined lesions. The morphometric evaluation revealed that the number of AgNORs and nuclear area increased from group of mild dysplasia to invasive cancer. Nuclear outline increased as well, but there were less significant differences. The numbers of AgNORs per 1 micron 2 of nuclear area were different in all groups, these differences were not significant. Our results confirmed that the number of AgNORs per nucleus and nuclear area may constitute a helpful tool to support subjective differential diagnostics. These parameters may be especially useful in doubtful cases, when sample is small or inflammatory changes superimposed as well as in cytological examination.