Objective: To reveal the differences in the parameters of the second order regression curve with a cluster of experimental points on scattergrams showing the dependence of the perimeter on the area of tumor cell nuclei between ductal carcinoma and fibroadenoma of the mammary gland.
Study design: Punctate smears taken from patients with ductal carcinoma and fibroadenoma of the mammary gland with coincident histologic and cytologic conclusion were studied and selected. Karyometry of tumor cells was performed with the help of a semiautomatic computer analyzer of digital images.
Results: It has been shown that the cluster of experimental points on scattergrams showing the dependence of the perimeter on the area of tumor cell nuclei can be well described by a second order regression curve, which is a parabola. The differences in parabola parameters (coefficients of the parabola equation) characterizing the population of tumor cells in ductal carcinoma and fibroadenoma of the mammary gland were revealed. Boundary values of these parameters in the groups of comparison were ascertained.
Conclusion: Parameters of the regression curve to a cluster of experimental points on scattergrams showing the dependence of the perimeter on the area of tumor cell nuclei can be used as an additional diagnostic criterion for breast cancer.