Objective:To determine the prognostic value of DNA ploidy and nuclear morphometry

and its relations to nuclear grading in renal cell carcinoma.Methods:Pathological grading were done in 47cases of renal cell carcinoma in accordance with the system proposed by Fuhrman et al.Feulgen staining were performed in the tumor histological slides

and the technique of image cytometry was used to quantitate nuclear DNA ploidy and nuclear morphological parameters.The results combined with the data of clinical follow up were analyzed.Results:The mean DNA ploidy in grade Ⅰ～Ⅱ was mainly 2C

≥5C cells less than 10%;the 2C cells in grade Ⅲ～Ⅳ were lower than in grade Ⅰ～Ⅱ

≥5C cells were more than 20%.Among the four grades DNA ploidy were statistically different( P <0.01).There were significant differences in the nuclear area

perimeter and shape factor among the groups of grade Ⅰ～Ⅳ( P <0.01).According to the data of clinical follow up

the number of relapse

metastasis and death in the group of Fuhrman grade Ⅰ～Ⅱ (2/16) was statistically lower than in the group of Fuhrman grade Ⅲ～Ⅳ(8/12)( P <0.01).There were significant differences in DNA ploidy and nuclear morphological parameters between groups of the living and dead ( P <0.01).Conclusion:Our research suggests that Fuhrman grade Ⅰ～Ⅱ show a favorable prognosis while grade Ⅲ～Ⅳ show a poor one in patients with renal cell carcinoma.The measurment of DNA ploidy and nuclear morphological parameters by image cytometry (ICM) have an important value for predicting the prognosis of renal cell carcinoma.