Distribution of nuclear size and internuclear distance are important criteria for grading astrocytomas

Abstract

Aim: The differentiation between low-grade astrocytomas and anaplastic astrocytomas is susceptible to considerable inter-observer variability. In order to contribute to a better standardization of astrocytoma-grading based on quantitative data, the present study focuses on two important aspects not being considered in previous morphometric studies: elaboration of a decision flow chart for tumor grading based on morphometric parameters and appropriate cut-off-values, easily performed using low-cost equipment such as measuring oculars; investigation of the distribution (histograms) of parameters describing nuclear size and internuclear distance, which had been represented in previous studies b..