Computer assisted image analysis of Feulgen-stained cell nuclei from transitional cell carcinoma of the human urinary bladder.

Computer assisted image analysis was performed in Feulgen-stained cell nuclei from 117 transitional cell carcinomas of the human urinary bladder. The results were compared to corresponding findings from a control group consisting of 27 specimens from non-malignant urothelium. Generally, the mean nuclear area in carcinoma specimens was found to be increased as compared to the control group, both in diploid and non-diploid tumours. The concentration and the distribution of nuclear chromatin, and the relative area and content of non-condensed chromatin were dependent on nuclear DNA-content and nuclear area. These nuclear parameters did not give supplementary information which could be used in discriminating benign urothelial cell nuclei from malignant ones. A multiple regression analysis, performed for diploid and non-diploid tumours separately, did not show any significant correlation between the considered nuclear parameters and clinical stage of the tumours or the patient's survival.