Computerized cytomorphometric analysis of nuclear area, nuclear perimeter and mean nuclear diameter in spontaneous canine mammary gland tumours.

Abstract

Fifty-two spontaneous canine mammary gland tumours (fibroadenomas (n=8), tubulopapillary carcinomas (n=9), solid carcinomas (n=6), anaplastic carcinomas (n=7), fibrosarcomas (n=9), liposarcomas (n=9) and osteosarcomas (n=4) were analysed by computer-assisted nuclear morphometry in Hemacolor-stained cytological specimens. Computerized cytomorphometry was performed and the nuclear area, nuclear perimeter and mean nuclear diameter of investigated tumours were assessed. A minimum of 100 nuclei per lesion were examined. The statistical analysis revealed statistically significant differences between benign and malignant neoplasms. The results indicated that computer-assisted nuclear morphometry could be used as an additional method for differentiation of benign from malignant canine mammary gland tumours in cytological specimens.