For more than three decades the methods for assessing cell pro-
liferation have been largely the preserve of experimental biologists,
and in their hands such techniques have contributed greatly to our
understanding of the dynamic organisation of normal and patho- logical
tissues. In recent years, with the advent of novel method- ologies,
there has been increased interest among both pathologists and
clinicians, particularly oncologists and others interested in neoplasia,
in assessing cell proliferation. This interest has been stimulated by
the possibility that indices of cell proliferation may have direct
clinical relevance, for example in being useful predictors of outcome in
patients with certain forms of malignancy. In addi- tion, interest in
assessing cell proliferation has been fuelled by the tremendous advances
in our understanding of the mechanisms of cell proliferation and their
deregulation in pathological processes. Consequently, the time is ripe
for a monograph critically reviewing the available methods for assessing
cell proliferation, their potential and their problems. We have been
particularly concerned to present a balanced view of the advantages and
disadvantages of different methods currently available for assessing
cell proliferation. The assessment of cell proliferation often requires
some familiarity with mathematical methods, but in this book we have
attempted to keep detailed mathematical analyses to a minimum. We have
asked exponents of each of the well-recognised methods to critically
review the tech- niques and the ways in which they may be applied to
clinical mate- rial.
