Automated analysis of multiple sections for the detection of occult cells in lymph nodes.

Abstract

Automated image analysis is a promising tool for the detection of occult cells in histopathologically negative nodes. It is potentially more sensitive but less specific for detecting recurrence of disease than conventional histopathology or RT-PCR and is particularly useful for the evaluation of sentinel nodes. Furthermore, it opens new ways for basic research of occult cells based on molecular profiling after laser-microdissection.