Abstract
OBJECTIVETo study the potential of nuclear size and shape estimates in interpreting fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) samples of the prostate.STUDY DESIGNMorphometry was used to outline nuclei of prostate cells. Cell groups were selected by an experienced cytologist.RESULTSThe mean area of nuclei in the most atypical cell groups among definitely malignant samples (n = 17) varied from 26.3 to 93.3 micron 2 and in normal prostate cells (n = 10) from 15.6 to 33.7 micron 2. Perfect distinction of definitely benign and slightly atypical samples (n = 13) from definitely malignant samples was possible when the samples were characterized by the weighted means of the mean nuclear areas of the cell groups in the samples. The means of individual cell groups allowed correct distinction in only 84.8% of cell groups. Shape factors did not have any diagnostic value.CONCLUSIONMorphometric nuclear size estimates from ethanol-fixed FNAB samples of the prostate are of diagnostic value and can potentially be used as part of multivariate diagnostic models when selected by an experienced cytologist according to strict criteria. However, measurement should be done from several cell groups (at least three of the most-atypical cell groups) in each sample.