Nuclear pleomorphism: Role in grading and prognosis of canine mammary carcinomas

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Marta Susana Santos (Author) ICBAS; Correia Gomes, C (Author) Other; Santos, A (Author) Other; Augusto Matos (Author) ICBAS; rocha, e (Author) ICBAS; Lopes, C (Author) ICBAS; Patricia Dias Pereira (Author) ICBAS

Journal

Title: Veterinary Journal

Vol. 200

Pages: 426-433

ISSN: 1090-0233

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 7 Citations

Scopus - 13 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-H13

DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.03.019

Abstract (EN): Canine mammary tumours are highly heterogeneous in morphology and behaviour and successful clinical management requires robust prognostic factors. Histological grade, determined by the Nottingham nuclear pleomorphism scoring method, has been considered one of these factors. Despite the adoption of this method, it is unknown whether inter-observer agreement exists regarding the assessment of its parameters in canine mammary carcinomas (CMC). In this study, the agreement between two observers in scoring nuclear pleomorphism using the Nottingham method was evaluated in 89 cases of CMC. Histological evidence of vascular invasion and/or lymph node metastases (both early signs of tumour aggressiveness) was recorded. For 48 animals, two years of follow-up data were available. Nuclear pleomorphism was quantitatively assessed using a stereological method that allowed for an unbiased estimation of nuclear size and its variability by determining the volume-weighted mean nuclear volume ((V) over bar (v)). Differences between the (V) over bar (v) estimations and nuclear pleomorphism scores were evaluated. Additionally, the prognostic significance of clinicopathological features including nuclear score and (V) over bar (v) was evaluated. A poor agreement between the two observers was obtained (kappa value 0.46). Tumours scored as 1 and 2 presented similarr (V) over bar (v) values and only tumours that scored 3 presented significantly higher estimates. The (V) over bar (v) value was not associated with vascular invasion and/or lymph node metastases, but was higher in tumours that progressed during follow-up. In multivariable analysis, only tumour size was an independent factor regarding evidence of aggressiveness and an optimal cut-off of 2.9 cm was defined.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8