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Argyrophylic nucleolar organiser regions (AgNOR’s) as a prognostic indicator in breast carcinoma

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Abstract

Silver staining nucleolar organiser regions (AgNOR’s) were determined in archival histological specimens of breast carcinoma. Representative samples from forty-eight female patients were counted manually for AgNOR’s — median 3.85 (range 1.1–10.2 AgNOR’s per cell). Taking the median value of 3.85 as a cutoff, the patients were divided into two groups:

A = Those with AgNOR counts > 3.85

B = Patients with AgNOR counts ≤ 3.85

The 5 year survival was 21% in group A and 85% in group B (p<0.001). There was no significant correlation between AgNOR’s and tumour size, lymph node status, tumour grade, menopausal status and oestrogen receptors. We conclude that nucleolar organiser regions may be useful as a prognostic indicator in breast carcinoma especially in patients in whom other prognostic information is unavailable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Surgery, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin

    D. J. Hehir, K. J. Cronin, W. P. Hederman & S. J. Heffernan

  2. Departments of Pathology, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin

    P. A. Dervan

  3. Departments of Oncology, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin

    A. McCann & D. N. Carney

Authors
  1. D. J. Hehir
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  2. K. J. Cronin
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  3. P. A. Dervan
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  4. A. McCann
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  5. D. N. Carney
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  6. W. P. Hederman
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  7. S. J. Heffernan
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Hehir, D.J., Cronin, K.J., Dervan, P.A. et al. Argyrophylic nucleolar organiser regions (AgNOR’s) as a prognostic indicator in breast carcinoma. I.J.M.S. 161, 112–115 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02983761

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