A New Method to Assess Metastatic Potential of Human Prostate Cancer: Relative Nuclear Roundness

Abstract

A new technique was developed that helped in an accurate prediction of the prognosis of 27 patients with stages B1 and B2 prostatic cancer folllowing radical prostatectomy. This method involves computer-assisted image analysis of histological specimens of the primary lesion removed at the time of radical perineal prostatectomy. On the basis of a nuclear shape factor, known as nuclear roundness, we have been able to distinguish those tumors with a high metastatic potential from tumors that are less aggressive. This technique provides pathologists with quantitative information about the metastatic potential of a tumor, which may aid in the management of the individual patient.