Fractal Dimension as a Prognostic Factor for Laryngeal Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Based on the hypothesis that Fractal Dimension (FD) reflects heterogeneity of tumor tissue, we performed an image analysis study to calculate FD of tissue specimens from patients with laryngeal carcinomas in order to investigate its prognostic value. Materials and Methods: Laryngectomy specimens from 52 patients, who had previously undergone total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinomas, were examined and their history files reviewed. Ten patients were lost from follow-up. Fractal Analysis software was used to estimate FD of histology sections by the box-counting method. FD of carcinomatous areas was correlated with survival. Results: Patients with a FD lower than the median value of the sample, estimated in sections of carcinomas, had statistically significant higher survival rates. Conclusion: Within the sample of patients studied, FD could be used as a prognostic factor.