Histologic grade is considered an important prognostic parameter.
1,4 Nuclear grade is an important component of histologic grade but, to some extent, is subjective on light microscopy. Nuclear morphometric features are probably a better reflection of nuclear grade and can be measured rapidly by an automated image cytometer. FNAC smears of a random 24 cases of infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast with available follow-up data were studied. Nuclear area, diameter, perimeter, convex perimeter, convex area and standard deviation of nuclear area were measured in at least 100 malignant cells. Table I shows nuclear image morphometry data with clinical follow-up and cytologic grade.