Klin Onkol 1999; 12(2): 56-57.
Summary: We tested two variants of assesment of tumour cellularity, apoptotic (AI) and mitotic indices (MI) in paraffin-embedded tissues from 54 malignant non-Hodgkin's Iymphomas (NHL), by using an image analysis system LUCIA G. Areas with maximal mitotic activity were evaluated in the first variation of the method. In the second variant, selection of examined areas was random. The average tumour cellularity was 2608 cells per 0.126 mm2, 2954 with random selection; of MI 1.61 %,0.28%; of AI 0.97%, 0.56%, respectively. Significant differences were not found between values of cellularity and AI, but absolute values of MI were significantiy different in statistical analysis. MI and AI positively correlated in both variants (all p < 0.0001). In addition to excellent reproducibility of tumour cellularity estimation, the study shows that both variations of assessment of MI and AI are suitable for further prognostic and predictive studies. Both variants confirmed a positive interrelationship between AI and MI in NHLs. The study newly revealed that apoptosis in NHLs is a diffuse phenomenon in contrast to focally accentuated proliferation activity. Finally, the relatively high interpersonal variability needs to be improved.
