Multiparametric Analysis of Fine Needle Aspirate Biopsies from Parotid Tumors by Laser Scanning Cytometry (LSC)

摘要

In order minimize hospitalization and morbidity with optimized therapy for a patient with a tumor of the parotid gland a malignancy must be confirmed or excluded as soon as possible. Up to now, non- and minimal-invasive methods do not yield this information. For fine needle aspirate biopsies (FNABs), analysis by a specialized cytologist yields subjective and qualitative but not objective and quantitative data. LSC is a semi-automated microscope-based technology and offers ideal prerequisites for the analysis of specimens fixed on a slide. We have established an assay for FNABs from parotid gland tumors. Cells are stained for cytokeratin and DNA. The analysis quantitatively determines the ploidy of the cells and the degree of condensation of the DNA; on this basis the percentage of cells undergoing mitosis can be determined. Subsequently the cells are stained by H&E and are re-localized on the slide at their fixed position. Micrographs are taken for objective documentation of the cells' morphology. Using this assay FNABs from parotid gland tumors were analyzed; tumors that were diagnosed as benign by routine histopathology showed no aneuploidy whereas malignant tumors were aneuploid. This preliminary study demonstrates the capacities of LSC for minimal-invasive assays yielding quantitative and objective data.