Angiogenesis predicts poor prognosis in gastric carcinoma

New prognostic factors in gastric carcinoma to determine the prognosis of the disease or to identify patients who will benefit from adjuvant therapy are being researched. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between microvessel count (MVC) and various clinicopathologic features in gastric carcinoma in order to evaluate the role of angiogenesis on the prognosis of gastric cancer.

Fifty-seven patients who underwent surgical intervention for gastric carcinoma between 1993 and 1997 were reviewed retrospectively. The relationship between MVC and various clinicopathological features was assessed. The effect of angiogenesis on overall survival and the role of MVC and other prognostic factors on distant metastases were assessed by multivariate analysis. Microvessels were outlined by anti-factor VIII, which is a specific monoclonal antibody to factor VIII in vessel endothelial cells, using the streptavidin-biotin method and counted under light microscopy x200 magnification.

There was no correlation between MVC and age or sex of the patient, duration of symptoms or tumor size. Proximally located, undifferentiated, diffuse type, serosal invasion positive, lymph node invasion positive, advanced stage, or distantly metastasized tumors had higher MVCs. Higher MVCs affected the overall survival adversely. Lymph node metastasis, serosal invasion and MVC were found as independent prognostic factors affecting distant metastases. MVC was the sole factor affecting recurrent liver metastasis.

It is concluded that MVC in gastric carcinoma may be a valuable prognostic factor to predict patients at high-risk for possible recurrences and to decide on postoperative adjuvant therapy.