Korean J Dermatol.  2006 Oct;44(10):1210-1216.

Immunohistochemical Study of Lymphatic Vessel Distribution and Density in Melanoma

• Kim JW
• Lee JY
• Yoon TY

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous melanoma is a malignant neoplasm that has the tendency to metastasize through lymphatic vessels. However, the mechanism of lymphatic spread in malignant melanoma is not fully understood due to lack of lymphatic-specific markers.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the intra- and peritumoral lymphatic vessel density (LVD) using a novel monoclonal antibody D2-40, and whether increased expression of lymphatic vessel correlated with malignancy grading in a series of melanocytic lesions and prognosis of malignant melanoma.
METHODS
The intra- and peritumoral LVD were examined by immunohistochemistry using D2-40 antibody in a series of melanocytic lesions.
RESULTS
We found significantly higher intra- and peritumoral LVD in malignant melanoma as compared with either benign melanocytic nevus, dysplastic nevus, or melanoma in situ (p<0.05), and the intratumoral LVD was significantly related to Breslow depth (p<0.05) and the development of lymphatic metastasis (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The higher intra- and peritumoral LVD in malignant melanomas suggests that melanoma cells might promote lymphangiogenesis. In addition, our data suggests that increased lymphatics in melanoma is an independent prognostic factor and important for the development of lymphatic metastasis.

Keyword

D2-40; Lymphatic vessel density; Malignant melanoma

MeSH Terms

Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome
Immunohistochemistry
Lymphangiogenesis
Lymphatic Metastasis
Lymphatic Vessels*
Melanoma*
Nevus, Pigmented
Prognosis