Differentiation by TICAS analysis of cell populations of tracheal aspirates from hamsters with squamous-cell carcinoma.

Individual cells from the tracheal aspirates of hamsters exposed to benzo-a-pyrene were scanned at .5 mum in three colors. Features relating to size, shape, and color were extracted and calculated by computer. The single cells were then classified by these features into separate populations with varying degrees of atypia, extending up to frank cancer cells. A high degree of accuracy was attained in classification by these methods.