Nuclear organizers in Ki-67 positive cells of squamous cell lung cancer: clinical morphological parallels and survival

Purpose: to study argyrophilic proteins associated with nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NOR proteins) in proliferating cells in relationship between the clinical and morphological parameters and survival in squamous cell lung carcinoma. Materials and methods: One hundred and thirteen surgical specimens of squamous cell lung cancer were studied using double staining for Ki-67 antigen (MIB-1 clone, DAKO) by immunohistochemistry and for Ag-ЯОР-proteins with silver nitrate. Results: In squamous cell carcinoma, the Ag-NOR area in Ki-67 positive cells correlated with the clinical and morphological parameters: parameter T, the greatest tumor size, parameter N, stage of the disease and tumor differentiation. When the area of Ag-ЯОР-proteins in Ki-67 positive cells was small, the long-term survival rates were higher. The Ag-ЯОР area in Ki-67 positive cells is an independent prognostic factor in squamous cell lung cancer.