Effectiveness of special training on achieving reproducible mitotic counts in malignant tumors

  • Narayanan Navya assistant professor department of pathology sree narayana institute of medical sciences eranakulam
Keywords: Mitosis, Training, Residents

Abstract

Background : Mitotic count is the most commonly used method of assessing the proliferative activity of a tumor. It is used for classification, grading, prognostication of tumors and sometimes as a decision factor for treatment. Many variables related to procedure or person can influence the mitotic count. This study is designed to find out the effectiveness of special training in mitotic counting in achieving   reproducible results.   Methods: Sections from twenty cases of carcinoma breast formed the study material. Five junior residents were given the same twenty sections counted by the principal investigator for mitosis counting and original counts were recorded. Then they were instructed regarding mitotic figures using written material and graphic representations. All of them were asked to count the mitotic figures in the same section once again. The results of the two sets were compared. Paired t test and linear regression were the statistical tests used in analysis. Data storage and Analysis is done with EPIINFO software. Results: The mean standard mitotic counts obtained by principal investigator were 8.21. The mean original mitotic count obtained by residents was 15.79. After attending the training program the mean mitotic  counts  obtained  by residents dramatically came close to that obtained by principal investigator ( 8.43 ) Conclusion: In trained hands, the mitotic counts are fairly reproducible and  give results comparable to more sophisticated methods of determining proliferative activity in breast cancer. DOI: 10.21276/apalm.2017.999

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Published
2017-02-03
Section
Original Article