Association between Argyrophilic Proteins of Nucleolar Organizer Regions, Clinicomorphological Parameters, and Survival in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

We studied argyrophilic proteins associated with nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) in non-small-cell cancer. We determined the area index (AI) and coefficient of variation (CV) of AgNOR. AI is associated with the key clinicomorphological parameters within the TNM system: T and N values, greatest tumor dimension up to 3 cm and more, disease stage, histogenesis, and tumor differentiation. CV is associated with T value, greatest tumor dimension up to 3 cm and more, histogenesis, and tumor differentiation. Survival of patients is longer in low AI or CV values versus high AI or CV values, longer in low AI and CV values (-AI/-CV type), shorter in high AI and CV values (+AI/+CV type), and intermediate in opposite AI and CV values (-AI/+CV and +AI/-CV types). Independent predictors in non-small-cell lung cancer include N value, greatest tumor dimension, histogenesis, and CV. Assessment of quantitative values and heterogeneity of AgNOR is important for differential diagnosis and prognosis of non-small-cell lung cancer.