Morphometric analysis for pulmonary small cell carcinoma using image analysis

Background: There are few studies of how to diagnose small cell lung cancer in cytological tests through morphometric analysis. We tried to measure and analyze characteristics of small cell carcinoma in lung by image analysis. Methods: We studied three types of cytologic specimens from 89 patients who were diagnosed with small cell lung cancer by immunohistochemistry. We measured area, perimeter, maximal length and maximal width of cells from small cell carcinoma using image analysis. Results: In lung aspirates, the nuclear mean area, perimeter, maximal length and maximal width of small cell lung cancer were 218.69 μm², 55 μm, 18.48 μm and 14.65 μm. In bronchial washings, nuclear measurements were 194.66 μm², 50.07 μm, 16.27 μm and 14.1 μm. In pleural fluid, values were 177.85 μm², 48.09 μm, 15.7 μm and 13.37 μm. Conclusions: Nuclear size of small cell lung carcinoma is variable and de pends on the cytology method. Nuclei are spindle-shaped and larger in small cell carcinoma from lung aspirates than in bronchial washings or pleural fluid. The cytoplasms of the cells in bronchial washings and pleural fluid were swollen. Therefore, one should consider morphologic changes when trying to diagnose small cell lung cancer through cytological tests.