Significance of nuclear morphometry in benign and malignant breast aspirates

BACKGROUND: Breast carcinoma is one of the most common cancers occurring in the female population world-wide. Normal cells gradually transform to form the cancer cells through several stages. Nuclear changes occurring during these transformational steps need to be assessed objectively. Hence nuclear morphometry can be used as a diagnostic tool. AIM: To compare the nuclear morphometric parameters of benign and malignant breast aspirates. STUDY DESIGN: Cytology was used to categorize aspirates from the breast lumps in to malignant (30 cases), and benign (30 cases). Nuclear parameters were calculated using the Image J 1.44C morphometric software. Several nuclear size parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: The nuclear area, perimeter, diameter, compactness, and concave points were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05) parameters in differentiating benign, and malignant aspirates. CONCLUSION: Nuclear morphometry was thus, a useful objective tool in the differentiating benign, and malignant breast lesions.