Clinical Significance of Tumor Angiogenesis in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix

Kim, J U; Lee, J P; Kim, Y T; Yoon, H J; Lee, Y H

Abstract

Introduction: Tumor Angiogenesis is an induction of new vessels, and the association with tumor growth has been reported by various investigators . The new vessels formed by angiogenesis provide the nutrients for tumor growth and increase the possibility of tumor metastasis by offering the chance for tumor cells to enter the systemic circulation. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the differences in angiogenesis between benign and malignant disease and determine the relationship between tumor angiogenesis and prognostic factors in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Materials and methods: The specimens used in this study were selected from September, 1994 to December, 1995 in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine. Microvessel count of control (8 cases), CIN III (15 cases), invasive cervical squamous cell carcinoma (14 cases) was investigated using factor VIII stain.
RESULTS
Microvessel counts were 17.9+/-8.6 in control, 40.7+/-17.0 in CIN III, 70.6+/-20.4 in invasive carcinoma, respectively. Microvessel counts of CIN III and invasive carcinoma were statstically significantly increased in comparison with control (p<0.05). And they have significant correlation with other well known prognostic factors of cervical cancer such as depth of invasion and lymphovascular space invasion.
CONCLUSION
Tumor angiogenesis seems to be related with prognostic significance in squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Definite conclusion may not be drawn from these results because of small number of cases, and further large prospective study will be needed about correlation between tumor angiogenesis and long term prognosis.