Mitotic count: A need for standardization

Abstract

Purpose: The mitotic count (MC), number of mitosis per unit area, is a very important parameter frequently used for classification and grading of some tumors. Traditionally, the MC has been expressed in terms of number of mitoses per high power field. The size of the field of view can vary greatly among different microscopes. In order to avoid under or overestimation of mitotic count, a conversion needs to be made.

Methods: A simple formula based on a simple rule of three has been devised to standardize the mitotic count to the reference area by multiplying the number of mitotic figures by a correction factor which has been calculated for the most frequently used microscopes and various common tumors.

Results and conclusions: We propose this simple method, which involves only a single multiplication, to standardize the mitotic count to the reference area.

Keywords: Clasificación tumoral; Estadificación; Grading; Mitotic count; Recuento mitótico; Tumor classification.