The Prognostic Significance of Tumor Microvessel Density in Colorectal Carcinoma

Lee, Jeong Kyun; Han, Weon Cheol

Abstract

PURPOSE:This study was carried out to evaluate the relationship with other clinicopath ologic factors and prognostic significance of tumor microvessel density in colorectal car cinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 71cases of primary colorectal carcinoma (Modified Astler-Coller stage B and C) were analysed retrospectively who underwent curative resection at Wonkwang university hospital from September, 1991 to September, 1993. Male was 39cases. Age under 60 years was 31cases. 5 year survival rates were 80% (50 cases) in stage B and 52.4% (21 cases) in stage C. Tumor microvessels were stained by immuno histochemical method using anti-CD31 on paraffine embedded tissues, and were counted within 10x objective field (about 0.74 mm2) in the area of the most intense neovascu larization.
RESULTS
Mean microvessel Density (MVD) was 56.3+/-18.0 (range 19~128). MVD was 55.2 in 11 cases of nonrecurrent group and 73.5 in 10 cases of recurrent group in stage C (p=0.012). There was no significant association between MVD and other parameters such as age, sex, tumor location and size, CEA, lymph node metastasis, and survival. The 5 year survival rates of 33 cases of MVD< or =56 and 38 cases of MVD>56 were 84.9 and 60.5% respectively(p<0.05). 5 year survival rates of MVD< or =56 groups adjusted for age, sex, tumor location, differentiation, and recurrence were higher than those of >56 groups. 5 year survival rates of MVD < or =56 and >56 groups in stage C were 100% (5 cases) and 37.5% (16 cases) (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Tumor microvessl density may have somewhat prognostic significance in colorectal carcinoma.