Three-dimensional image of hepatocellular carcinoma under confocal laser scanning microscope

AIM:To investigate the application of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) in tumor pathology and three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction by CLSM in pathologic specimens of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).METHODS:The 30&mgr;m thick sections were cut from the paraffin embedded tissues of HCC, hyperplasia and normal liver,stained with DNA fluorescent probe YOYO-1 iodide and examined by CLSM to collect optical sections of nuclei and 3-D images reconstructed.RESULTS:HCC displayed chaotic arrangement of carcinoma cell nuclei, marked pleomorphism, indented and irregular nuclear surface, and irregular and coarse chromatin texture.CONCLUSION:The serial optical tomograms of CLSM can be used to create 3-D reconstruction of cancer cell nuclei. Such 3-D impressions might be helpful or even essential in making an accurate diagnosis.