Abstract:

Objective　The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of cell morphometric factor (FC) and the average density of light in squamous cell carcinomas at the floor of mouth by immunohistochemical method (SABC).Methods　The slices made from the paraffin specimens of 28 patients with squamous cell carcinomas at the floor of mouthwere stained by the immuno- histochemical technique withmonoclonal antibody CK10and CK14.In these stained slices the FC parameters and the average density of light were measured by using an image analysis system.Results　In primitive tumors, the FC parameters and the average den- sity of light were significantly different between positive and negative lymph nodes metastasis or between different pathological grades(P<0.05 or <0.001).The significancewas not existed among clinical stages(P>0.05). The difference of FC expressed in positive and negative lymph nodesmetastasiswere significant(P<0.05 or <0.001).Conclusion　The cell morphometric fac- tor (FC) parameters and the average density of light of CK10and CK14could be used as a biological guideline to evaluate the clini- cally infiltrative and metastasic potential of squamous cell carcinoma at the floor of mouth.

Key words: squamous cell carcinoma of floor of mouth, morphometry, image analysis