Previous studies have shown DNA cytometric, morphometric and stereologic features to be strong prognosticators in advanced @entity43 . However, in one Danish study a new stereologic parameter, the volume-weighted mean nuclear volume ( nuv), was not of prognostic significance. In that study, sampling was performed in the whole @entity5 section, contrary to that in other studies where measurements were performed in the worst differentiated area (the measurement area). The aim of the present investigation was, therefore, to confirm or reject the hypothesis that random estimates of nuclear {ovbar nu}v over the whole @entity5 , rather than in the measurement area, are the cause for the lack of prognostic value in the Danish @entity1 . Additionally, the mitotic activity index (MAI), volume percentage of epithelium (VPE), mean nuclear area (MNA) and standard deviation of the nuclear area (SDNA), which have proved to be of strong prognostic significance in advanced @entity43 , were assessed in the measurement area. The MAI, VPE, MNA, SDNA and nuclear {ovbar nu}v were well reproducible, but prognostically not significant. This study thus excludes differences in microscopic sampling as an explanation for the contrasting findings in the Danish study and other ones. Possible remaining explanations are: (i) differences in sampling at the macroscopic level; (ii) fixation differences; (iii) @entity1 selection bias; and (iv) geographic differences in the degree of @entity43 in Denmark and the Netherlands. As to the latter, in comparison with two Dutch studies the Danish @entity43 in this series had residual disease <2 cm (33% vs 50%) less often, were less often well differentiated (4% vs 19%), and less often had favorable morphometric characteristics (6% vs 15%). Further studies are required to analyze whether other Danish @entity1 groups with advanced @entity43 differ from the Dutch.

The significance of differences in prognostic value of quantitative pathologic features in FIGO stage III and IV serous adenocarcinoma of the ovary between a group of Danish XXXX and other groups.

@entity43 :: ('MESH:D010051', 'Disease') :: ['ovarian cancers', 'malignancy of advanced ovarian cancer', 'ovarian cancer'] @entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['tumor']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['patients']
