Karyometry of primary and metastatic malignant melanoma. A correlation with cell proliferation.

We used computerized image analysis, immunohistochemistry, and the incorporation of tritiated thymidine to study the relationship between nuclear size and shape and the proliferation of malignant melanoma cells. A total of 30 nonulcerated primary malignant melanomas and 75 of their cutaneous metastases were considered. We found a positive relationship between (a) the 3H-TdR labeling indices and the thickness of the primary malignant melanoma: (b) the nuclear profile areas of primary lesions and their respective metastases; and (c) the size and regularity of the contours of the nuclei. We failed to find a relationship between 3H-TdR indices and the nuclear size of malignant melanoma cells.