Summary

The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between Ki-67 index and quantitative parameters detected by stereological methods, and survival in stage IIIA-N2 squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Twenty eight cases with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung were included in our study group. Sections from paraffin embedded tissue samples were stained histochemically with hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemically with Ki-67. In each case by using a projection microscope and a test system, mean nuclear volume, mean nuclear profile area, nuclear profile density , nuclear volume fraction, mitotic profile density and Ki-67 index were determined. Data were evaluated by Kendall’s t test, log-rank test and Cox regression analysis. While Ki-67 index was observed not to be related with clinicopathologic parameters and survival, mean nuclear volume (654µm³) and age (57 years) of the patients were found to be independent prognostic factors. Our results show that in stage IIIA-N2 squamous cell carcinoma of the lung mean nuclear volume and patient age are useful parameters that could be used in the determination of the course of disease.