Evaluation of micronuclei score in body fluids as predictor of malignancy

Dr Sarojini Raman; Dr Pranati Misra; Dr Bhaskar Thakur

Volume : VII, Issue : XI, November - 2018

Evaluation of micronuclei score in body fluids as predictor of malignancy

Dr Sarojini Raman, Dr Pranati Misra, Dr Bhaskar Thakur

Abstract :

BACKGROUND : Cancer is characterized by genomic complexity and chromosomal abnormalities . The study of DNA damage in cells collected from the serosal cavity fluids is very promising as a minimally invasive method for assessing the effects of genotoxic exposure .The presence of micronuclei (MN) and other nuclear anomalies like atypical mitosis and nuclear atypia within these cells has been shown to be associated with chromosomal instability. MN originates from chromatin fragments or whole chromosomes; their presence in cells is a reflection of chromosomal aberration. Aim of the study was to find out the significance of micronucleated cells in body fluids and to differentiate malignant from reactive cases .

MATERIALS & METHODS: Sixty four cases of malignant body fluids and

38 benign cases as control were studied. Number of microucleated cells present per 1000 well preserved cells in leishman stained smears were counted.

RESULT: Mean (�SD) micronucleated score in malignant and benign body fluids were 5.86 �7.98 and 1.9 � 3.25 respectively. Mann Whitney test showed that this difference was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: Detection of morphological markers of chromosomal instability using even small cytological specimens , may provide valuable information related to prognosis of cancers. MN scoring may be a simple, easy, alternative diagnostic tool to distinguish between benign & malignant cases .