Further testing of the value of a measurement protocol for DNA ploidy studies using image cytometry. Comparison of results obtained from cytologic and paraffin section preparations.

OBJECTIVE

To apply DNA image cytometry (ICM) to 53 tissue sections of breast cancer and skin melanomas.

STUDY DESIGN

DNA ICM was performed on 6-microns-thick sections with a commercially available ICM system, strictly following a previously developed measurement protocol. The histograms were classified according to Auer.

RESULTS

In 48 of the 53 cases (90.6%, kappa = .84) there was complete agreement in the Auer class. Discrepancies were one class 1-2 and one class 1-3 shifts (cytocentrifuge samples class 1); one case was class 2 in the section and class 3 in the cytocentrifuge sample, and two cases were class 4 in the cytologic and class 3 in the histologic specimen.

CONCLUSION

By paying careful attention to the measurement protocol and technical quality of the material, for certain tumors with relatively small nuclei and limited nuclear overlap, reliable DNA ICM results can be obtained in most cases from 6-microns-thick tissue sections that are comparable to those from single-cell preparations.