[Correlation of tumor microvessel density with prognosis in laryngopharyngeal malignant melanoma]
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Affiliated First Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China. chenxi99@pub3.fz.fj.cn
Objective:
To investigate the relationship between microvessel density and clinicopathology, as well as the prognosis in pharyngo-laryngeal malignant melanoma.
Methods:
Specific endothelial cell markers with immunohistochemistry and microvessel density with morphometry in 28 cases of laryngopharyngeal malignant melanoma.
Results:
There was no correlation between the microvessel density (MVD) and the tumor size, Clark grade, as well as Breslow grade; however, significant correlation was found between the MVD and the AJC's grade, as well as the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labelling index. Microvessel counts were associated with overall survival by Kaplan-Meier analysis. An average vessel count of less than 36.5 (x 200) suggested a better survival, but a higher vessel count of more than 36.5 (x 200) showed a trend to worse the overall survival.
Conclusion:
The results suggest a significant relationship between MVD and prognosis; moreover, MVD may be a useful prognostic indicator in laryngopharyngeal malignant melanoma.