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PubMedDate not supplied

[A case of intrasellar craniopharyngioma with the symptoms of pituitary apoplexy].

Craniopharyngiomas account approximately for 2.5% of all intracranial neoplasms. They statistically most often arise in Japanese people (8%) and in children (9%). Despite their typical localization in suprasellar region and their close neighbourhood, 10-20% of them occupy intrasellar space, but only very few grow up as intrasellar cysts. Such localization predisposes to hypothalamus-pituitary-axis dysfunction more often, than other localizations. The symptoms of pituitary apoplexy caused by sudden, intrinsic haemorrhage of intrasellar craniopharyngioma are very rare, because the tumour grows very slowly and its vascular supply is usually poor. A very rare localization, extremely atypical course of disease, interesting intraoperative observations and good results of transsphenoidal tumour removal prompted the authors to present this case report.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

The application of age, period and cohort models to predict Swiss cancer mortality.

In order to project trends in mortality from 11 major cancer sites in Switzerland to the end of the current century, a log-linear Poisson age/period/cohort model with arbitrary constraints on the parameters was used, fitted to the observed rates for the period 1950-84. One projection was based on the assumption of a total absence of change in the effect of period, the second was based on a linear extrapolation of the logarithms of the seven known periods, and the third was related to a series of a priori external epidemiological hypotheses, whenever available. For instance, coefficients below unity were used for lung and other tobacco-related neoplasms in men, since some decline in exposure to tobacco carcinogens was observed among Swiss men, and above unity for women since the prevalence of smoking has risen among successive generations of women. Although the method has limitations and uncertainties, several qualitative indications could be derived from this exercise. For instance, the various models suggest that the age-standardized mortality from oral cancer in men will probably increase up to the end of the century, even under the optimistic assumption of an appreciable decline in smoking, while cancer of the oesophagus is likely to level-off around current values, as other tobacco-related neoplasms, prostate cancer in men, and breast cancer in women will probably do. Some steady decline is predicted by various models fitted to the incidence of stomach and intestinal cancer in both sexes, and to ovarian cancer. Lung cancer will continue to rise in women but will stop rising in men, and it will possibly fall if the hypothesis of a decline in exposure to tobacco carcinogens proves correct. Although any prediction has, by definition, substantial difficulties and uncertainties, projections of cancer mortality in the near future are based on a substantial amount of information already available, and may offer valuable information for epidemiological inferences and health planning purposes.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Unexpected reduction of mortality rates from melanoma in males living in central Italy.

A registry-based study has been carried out in central Italy to investigate cutaneous melanoma incidence and mortality trends. The incidence of invasive (1492 cases analysed) and in situ (224 cases) cutaneous melanomas increased significantly from 1985 to 1997, in both genders. The increase of invasive tumours was mainly due to 'thin' (<or=1.00 mm) lesions, while thick ones showed stable rates. From 1985 to 1999, we evidenced a statistically significant decrease in mortality among males, the estimated annual percent change (EAPC) was -3.3%/year (P<=0.012), but this was not observed among females (EAPC=0.2, P=0.896). The stage at diagnosis was worse for males than females at the beginning of the analysed period, therefore the former had more possibilities for improvement than females. This may partially explain this finding since mortality rates among females were also quite low during the late 1980s. However, the stable incidence rates of the thick forms of melanoma make this finding largely unexpected, and difficult to understand assuming that in the last decade no 'clear-cut' improvements in survival have been documented as a result of new treatments in advanced melanomas.

Age Distribution↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunohistochemical study of 49 cutaneous melanomas: p53, PCNA, Bcl-2 expression and multidrug resistance.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Thickness and level of invasion are the main morphological elements for an approximate but not sufficiently sensitive prognostic evaluation of cutaneous melanomas. By using immunohistochemical methods it is possible to detect biological markers related to prognosis. We have studied p53, PCNA, Bcl-2 and P-gp expression in 49 primary cutaneous melanomas. MATERIALS: We used the immunophosphatase APAAP immunohistochemical method. The percentage of labeled cells (according to four classes of positivity: <5%; 5-25%; 25-50%; >50%) and the localization of immunoreactivity were expressed for each marker. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the correlations between markers and level or thickness of melanomas. RESULTS: We found a good correlation between p53 expression and melanoma thickness (P <0.005), PCNA and P-gp expression. No relationship was observed between Bcl-2 expression and the different variables considered or other markers. CONCLUSIONS: Our data seem to indicate an unfavorable prognostic role of higher nuclear p53 expression. However, we believe that our results need to be integrated with patients' clinical follow-up and with the study of the expression of these markers in benign melanocytic lesions to gain more accurate information about their prognostic significance.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1992

Prediction of prognosis in untreated stage A2 prostatic carcinoma.

Carcinoma is found unexpectedly in approximately 10% or more of the 400,000 prostatectomies performed annually in the United States. Patients with Stage A2 carcinoma die of their disease in only 35% of the cases. To alter the course of disease in these patients, 65% of Stage A2 patients may be treated unnecessarily by radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, or hormonal therapy. An accurate method to predict the outcome of patients with Stage A2 carcinoma is needed. Histologic sections from 18 patients with Stage A2 prostatic carcinoma followed without further treatment until progression, or followed without progression, were evaluated by several investigators who did not have knowledge of patient outcomes and who employed standard pathologic grading systems as well as morphometric, cytophotometric, flow cytometric, and immunohistochemical techniques. Outcome was predicted correctly by random sampled absolute (17 of 18 cases) and relative (16 of 18) nuclear roundness factor (NRF), tumor volume expressed as percent of specimen (13 of 16), primary (13 of 18), secondary (14 of 18), sum (15 of 18), and worse (14 of 18) Gleason grades and prostate-specific antigen immunohistochemical findings (13 of 18) that produced statistically significant separation of the two groups. Significant separation was not obtained with Mostofi's pattern, nuclear, sum, and worse grades, Johns Hopkins' grade, absolute tumor volume, nuclear DNA content measured by image cytophotometric study of Feulgen-stained histologic sections and flow cytometric study of propidium iodide-labeled suspensions of nuclei obtained from paraffin blocks, nonrandom sampled NRF of worse and most prevalent neoplastic areas, and prostatic acid phosphatase and peanut agglutinin immunohistochemical study. NRF measured by a random technique best predicted outcome in these patients with A2 prostatic carcinoma and should be evaluated prospectively as a means for selecting patients who require therapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1993

Differential expression of drug metabolizing enzymes in primary and secondary liver neoplasm: immunohistochemical characterization of cytochrome P4503A and glutathione-S-transferase.

The question whether expression of drug metabolizing enzymes in human liver is altered by liver neoplasm remains controversial; however, the ability or unability of tumour cells to metabolize certain drugs may be important for developing therapeutic strategies. We therefore investigated the abundance and localization of two classes of drug metabolizing enzymes [cytochrome P4503A (CYP3A) and pi-type glutathione-S-transferase] by means of immunohistochemistry (standard ABC technique) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, n = 16) and with liver metastasis from adenocarcinoma (n = 53) in comparison to normal controls (n = 5). The distribution of CYP3A in normal liver samples showed a characteristic pattern of four to five layers of stained hepatocytes surrounding the central vein. Eleven out of 16 cases of HCC showed expression of CYP3A; staining was less intense than in normal liver and zonation was completely lost. In contrast, only 5 out of 53 samples of metastasis stained positively for CYP3A. The difference between primary and secondary neoplasm was statistically significant (chi-square, P < 0.0001). Pi-type glutathione-S-transferase (GST) stained positively in 9 out of 16 HCC and in 48 out of 53 cases of liver metastasis (chi-square, P < 0.01) indicating a higher percentage of immunostaining in liver metastasis. In summary, we observed differences in the abundance and distribution pattern of CYP3A and GST between primary and secondary neoplasma of human liver and in comparison to normal controls. In combination with established methods these data may contribute to the establishment of reliable test systems for distinguishing primary from secondary liver tumours.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2003

Expressions of angiogenic factors in pancreatic ductal carcinoma: a correlative study with clinicopathologic parameters and patient survival.

INTRODUCTION: It has been reported that angiogenic factors play an important role in proliferation and metastasis in various cancers.AIMTo investigate the expression of angiogenic factors and microvessel density (MVD) in pancreatic ductal carcinoma and to examine the correlations among expression of angiogenic factors, clinicopathologic parameters, and clinical prognosis. METHODOLOGY: Paraffin-embedded specimens from 55 patients with pancreatic ductal carcinoma were immunostained for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF), and CD34. The correlations among the expression of individual angiogenic factors and MVD, the clinicopathologic features, and the clinical prognoses were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Immunostaining demonstrated that 70.8% of pancreatic ductal carcinomas were positive for VEGF, 60.9% for FGF-2, and 57.2% for PD-ECGF. A significant correlation was observed between VEGF expression and MVD (p < 0.05) but not between FGF-2 or PD-ECGF and MVD. Although the expression of each angiogenic factor had no correlation with clinicopathologic features, the patients with tumors that showed high expression of VEGF and FGF-2 had significantly shorter survival times than those with low or no such expression (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that the expression of VEGF closely correlates with MVD and with a poor prognosis in pancreatic ductal carcinoma.

Angiogenesis Inducing Agents↗
PubMed1986

The correlation of pretreatment transurethral resection of prostatic cancer with tumor dissemination and disease-free survival. A univariate and multivariate analysis.

A multivariate Cox's hazard function analysis was performed on the prognostic variables selected from 240 patients with localized carcinoma of the prostate who received external beam radiotherapy to analyze the association between the method of biopsy and disease-free survival. The patients received 4500 cGy to the pelvis followed by a 2-week treatment rest and then an additional 2000 cGy to the reduced prostatic volume. Median follow-up was 4 years (range, 1-9 years). The 5-year actuarial local control rate was 91%. There was no difference in local control relative to the method of biopsy (needle biopsy or transurethral resection of the prostate [TURP]). The 5-year actuarial risks of metastases were 28% and 48% for the needle biopsy and TURP groups, respectively (P less than 0.01). The 5-year disease-free survival for the needle biopsy and TURP groups were 55% and 42%, respectively (P less than 0.05). This difference maintained statistical significance for Stage C and Grade III tumors. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that "method of biopsy" was the third most powerful variable after serum acid phosphatase level and modified Broders' grade in predicting disease-free survival. Patients who had TURP had an almost twofold higher relative risk of disease progression than those who had needle biopsy. This study established the correlation of the method of biopsy with a lower probability of disease-free survival over and above the information obtained from the clinical stage, histologic grade, presence or absence of symptoms of obstruction, acid phosphatase level, and lymph node status. The association of TURP with tumor dissemination is discussed with reference to the mechanism of metastasis formation and prevention.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1991

Video absorbtiometry in diagnostic cytology: description of a new technique and a preliminary statistical evaluation.

Cytological specimens from 21 patients were examined using digital video microscopy. The staining characteristics of cells incubated with hydroquinone and the tetrazolium stain MTT were analysed using a novel procedure that is independent of morphological features and relies on characteristics of the frequency distribution of the localised (pixel) absorbances of the cellular images. The properties of the distribution of absorbances were assessed by a number of procedures. Comparisons were made of nine malignant and 12 non-malignant cytological samples, obtained mainly from pleural and peritoneal fluid. The data showed significant differences between the sets of samples which may be of value in cytological diagnosis. In the material examined all the malignant samples exhibited a positive skewness with the alpha-3 test (the mean alpha-3 value being greater than 0.5); this was true in only two of 12 non-malignant samples. This analytical technique, which is largely independent of morphology, magnification, and absolute absorbance values, seems to hold promise for the simplification and automation of cytological screening procedures.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2003

The value of Tc-99m-tetrofosmin scintigraphy in the assessment of P-glycoprotein in patients with malignant bone and soft-tissue tumors.

UNLABELLED: P-glycoprotein (Pgp) overexpression has been shown to be correlated with resistance to chemotherapy in patients with malignant bone and soft-tissue tumors. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of 99mTc-tetrofosmin as a functional imaging agent reflecting Pgp expression in these tumors. METHODS: Twenty eight patients with various malignant bone and soft-tissue tumors were studied. Radionuclide angiography with 99mTc-tetrofosmin was done first and planar images were acquired at 15 min and 90 min postinjection. Vascular phase was evaluated visually on dynamic images, metabolic state was evaluated both visually and quantitatively on planar images. Quantitative analysis was performed by the calculation of tetrofosmin uptake in the lesion against background and percent washout rate (WR%) of the tracer. Immunohistochemical analysis of Pgp was performed on biopsy specimens and the degree of expression was graded from 0 to 3. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between the Pgp score and the washout rate of tetrofosmin (r = 0.73, p = 0.000). The mean washout rate of tetrofosmin from the lesions with Pgp expression (31.81 +/- 6.72) was found to be significantly higher than those of without Pgp expression (21 +/- 3.49) (p = 0.000). No statistically significant correlation was found between 15 min and 90 min uptake ratios (UR) of tetrofosmin and Pgp score (r = -0.10, p = 0.6 and r = -0.21, p = 0.2, respectively). When the cut-off value of 24.5 (according to ROC-analysis) for the washout rate was used to discriminate the lesions with and without Pgp expression, the test yielded a sensitivity value of 87.5% with a specificity of 100%. CONCLUSIONS: In malignant bone and soft-tissue tumors, 99mTc-tetrofosmin uptake were not related to Pgp overexpression. Pgp overexpression was found to be correlated with the washout rate of the tracer. 99mTc-tetrofosmin scintigraphy with washout analysis may not only be a useful method for evaluating Pgp overexpression but also its function.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed1981

Statistical methods for the analysis of tumor multiplicity data.

The fit of tumor multiplicity data from 93 mouse skin, lung, and liver carcinogenicity experiments to Poisson, negative binomial, and normal distributions was studied. The data were fitted well by the negative binomial distribution. This distribution has two parameters, the mean tumor multiplicity and an exponent determined by the interanimal homogeneity of tumor response. The value of the latter parameter was related to animal strain and the target tissue studied in the carcinogenicity experiments. The null distribution of the two-sample likelihood ratio test based on the negative binomial with common exponent model for tumor multiplicity data was shown by simulation studies to be approximately chi 2 with 1 d.f. Simulation also indicated that the likelihood ratio test has sufficiently better performance when the negative binomial model is valid to make its use more attractive than the more commonly used Wilcoxon test or Student t test. Charts for estimating the number of animals per group that are required to detect specified differences in tumor multiplicities are provided for several commonly used assays.

Adenoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of different preparation techniques for fine needle aspiration specimens. A semiquantitative and statistical analysis.

Different options exist for preparing fine needle aspiration specimens (FNAS). To compare direct smears and cytocentrifugation specimens, we prospectively obtained FNAS from 38 operative cases, making alcohol-fixed (DIR) and air-dried (AIR) direct smears and collecting additional passes in 50% ethanol (ETH), Saccomanno's solution (SAC) and Hanks' Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS). All slides were stained with Papanicolaou stain except AIR, which were stained with Diff-Quik. We evaluated cellularity, nuclear and cytoplasmic preservation, percent single cells, background and degree of three-dimensionality on a 0-3+ scale and rendered an independent diagnosis for each medium. Statistical analysis of differences between techniques was performed utilizing the paired t test. Cellularity was significantly decreased for ETH, HBSS and SAC as compared to DIFF and DIR. Nuclear preservation was best for DIR and inferior for AIR, ETH, SAC and HBSS. Background was best seen in DIR and AIR as compared to ETH and SAC. HBSS was significantly inferior to DIR but not to AIR. There were no significant differences in cytoplasmic preservation and percent single cells. Three-dimensionality was increased for ETH and SAC but not for HBSS. The ability to make a definitive diagnosis was significantly inferior only for HBSS and SAC as compared to AIR. Direct smears made by cytotechnologists or pathologists are better than Cytospin specimens. However, despite their inherent disadvantages, rinse techniques may be advantageous when specimens are collected solely by clinicians.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed2005

A novel rat model for the study of intraosseous metastatic spine cancer.

OBJECT: Although metastatic spinal disease constitutes a significant percentage of all spinal column tumors, an accessible and reproducible animal model has not been reported. In this study the authors describe the technique for creating an intraosseous spinal tumor model in rats and present a functional and histological analysis. METHODS: Eighteen female Fischer 344 rats were randomized into two groups. Group 1 animals underwent a transabdominal exposure and implantation of CRL-1666 breast adenocarcinoma into the L-6 vertebral body (VB). Animals in Group 2 underwent a sham operation. Hindlimb function was tested daily by using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scale. Sixteen days after tumor implantation, animals were killed and their spines were removed for histological assessment. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. By Day 15 functional analysis showed a significant decrease in motor function in Group 1 animals (median functional score 2 of 21) compared with Group 2 rats (median functional score 21 of 21) (p = 0.0217). The onset of paraparesis in Group 1 occurred within 14 to 16 days of surgery. Histopathological analysis showed tumor proliferation through the VB and into the spinal canal, with marked osteolytic activity and spinal cord compression. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of these findings demonstrates the consistency of tumor growth in this model and validates the utility of functional testing for onset of paresis. This new rat model allows for the preclinical evaluation of novel therapeutic treatments for patients harboring metastatic spine disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Prognostic significance of MRI findings in patients with myxoid-round cell liposarcoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to determine the prognostic significance of MRI findings in patients with myxoid-round cell liposarcomas and to clarify which MRI features best indicate tumors with adverse clinical behavior. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The initial MRI studies of 36 pathologically confirmed myxoid-round cell liposarcomas were retrospectively reviewed, and observations from this review were correlated with the histopathologic features. MR images were evaluated by two radiologists with agreement by consensus, and both univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to evaluate survival with a median clinical follow-up of 33 months (range, 9-276 months). RESULTS: Statistically significant MRI findings that favored a diagnosis of intermediate- or high-grade tumor were large tumor size (> 10 cm), deeply situated tumor, tumor possessing irregular contours, absence of lobulation, absence of thin septa, presence of thick septa, absence of tumor capsule, high-intensity signal pattern, pronounced enhancement, and globular or nodular enhancement. Of these MRI findings, thin septa (p < 0.05), a tumor capsule (p < 0.01), and pronounced enhancement (p < 0.01) were associated significantly, according to univariate analysis, with overall survival. Multivariate analysis indicated that pronounced enhancement was associated significantly with overall survival (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced MRI findings can indicate a good or adverse prognosis in patients with myxoid-round cell liposarcomas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Quality-of-life improvements in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma patients treated with denileukin diftitox (ONTAK).

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) can be associated with painful, pruritic, disfiguring lesions. As part of a multicenter, randomized phase III trial in patients with heavily pretreated advanced and/or recurrent CTCL, the effects of an interleukin-2 receptor-targeted fusion protein, denileukin diftitox (DAB389IL-2, ONTAK), on patient-rated overall quality of life (QOL), skin appearance, and pruritus severity were evaluated. A total of 71 patients with stage IB-IVA CTCL received intravenous denileukin diftitox 9 microg/kg/day or 18 microg/kg/day over 15-60 minutes for 5 consecutive days on an outpatient basis; cycles were planned for every 21 days for a total of 8 cycles over 6 months. Prior to each treatment cycle, patients were evaluated for disease response and were asked to self-rate their overall QOL via the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) questionnaire, skin appearance (7-point scale), and pruritus severity (10-cm visual analogue scale). Composite FACT-G and most individual subscale scores (physical, social/family, emotional, and functional well being) in documented responders (n = 21) gradually increased during the study period, generally reaching statistical significance (P < 0.05) by cycle 3, and were significantly (P < or = 0.041) higher than the scores of nonresponders at endpoint. Additionally for responders, assessments of skin severity and pruritus severity showed significant (P < or = 0.05) improvements at study endpoint compared with baseline. Adverse transfusion-related events (eg, hypersensitivity reactions, flu-like syndrome) were common during cycles 1 and 2, and vascular-leak syndrome occurred in 25% of patients. Denileukin diftitox was not associated with any clinically significant myelosuppression. Heavily pretreated patients with advanced and/or recurrent CTCL who responded to denileukin diftitox therapy showed significant improvements in self-rated overall QOL, skin appearance, and pruritus severity.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Death certification in patients whose primary treatment for oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma was operation: 1992-1997.

The aim of this study was to report the cause and place of death of patients with oral cancer as recorded by death certification and their survival with regard to comorbidity and age. From the departmental head and neck oncology database, 322 patients were identified with previously untreated oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed between 1992 and 1997 inclusive. Three-hundred were matched with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and copies of death certificates generated on 6 March 1999. Of the 286 patients primarily treated by operation, 203 were alive and 83 had died. In 56 (68%), oral cancer was a contributory factor to the patient's death. Patients with a medical history recorded on their admission for operation had similar survival curves compared to those having no problems recorded. Although most patients (n= 46 55%) died in hospital, only 13 (16%) died in the Regional Maxillofacial Unit. Almost half of those patients who died were not recorded as dead on the departmental oncology database. This study shows that it is useful to link with the ONS to obtain accurate data on date and place of death. The death certificate also gives a useful indication of the cause of death and this seems unrelated to preoperative comorbidity.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2003

Strontium(89) chloride versus palliative local field radiotherapy in patients with hormonal escaped prostate cancer: a phase III study of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Genitourinary Group.

OBJECTIVES: To compare toxicity, subjective response rate, time to subjective progression and overall survival in patients with painful bone metastases of hormone-resistant prostate cancer (HRPC) treated with a single intravenous injection of 150MBq (4mCi) Strontium(89) Chloride (S) or palliative local field radiotherapy (R) with the usual radiotherapy regimen used at each centre. The costs of both treatments were also assessed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 101 patients were randomized to S and 102 to R. Time to event endpoints were compared with the Logrank test and Kaplan-Meier curves, in the intent-to-treat population (2-sided alpha=0.05). RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of both groups were comparable. There was a borderline statistically significant difference in overall survival in favour of the local field radiotherapy (R: 11 months; S: 7.2 months; p=0.0457). There was no difference in progression-free survival or time to progression. Subjective response was seen in 34.7% in the S-arm and in 33.3% in the R-arm. A biochemical response was observed in 10% and 13% of the R- and S-groups, respectively. There was no difference in treatment toxicity between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In symptomatic HRPC, pain treatment with local field radiotherapy is associated with a better overall survival compared to Strontium(89). The lower costs of local field radiotherapy also favour the use of this treatment in patients with HRPC. The reason for the apparent survival benefit of localised radiation treatment is not clear.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Digital karyometry in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize nuclei from pancreatic adenocarcinoma and nonneoplastic pancreatic tissue by digital karyometry, demonstrating specific nuclear signatures for each of them. STUDY DESIGN: Of cells from malignant and nonmalignant pancreatic tissue, 1,300 nuclei were assessed by digital karyometry from paraffin blocks stored at the Pathology Service of Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre. A set of 40 features descriptive of the spatial and statistical distribution of nuclear chromatin was computed for each nucleus. Signatures were created for both types of tissue, and a distance metric from "normal" was defined and calculated for them. RESULTS: There were significant differences in 11 features between the 2 groups, allowing the creation of digital signatures. CONCLUSION: Nuclear chromatin texture signature can offer a specific digital characterization for both pancreatic adenocarcinoma and nonmalignant pancreatic tissue. Several isolated nuclear features serve as markers for the diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The present karyometric study of normal and malignant pancreatic tissue may be of use as a continuing tool to early diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma as it can be applied to cytologic specimens, also. In the future, studies using this technique should assess the chemopreventive potential of different agents as well as prognosis and treatment options for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗