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Lymphatic vessel density and lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer
Yiping Zeng1, Kenneth Opeskin, Lisa G Horvath
1Bernard O'Brien Institute of Microsurgery, Melbourne, Australia.
The Prostate
|June 11, 2005
Summary
Prostate cancer's lymph node metastasis risk is linked to peritumoral lymphatic vessel density (LVD). Increased LVD and lymphatic invasion indicate higher metastasis risk, suggesting lymphatic vessels are key to cancer spread.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Pathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Limited data exist on prostatic lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer.
- Understanding LVD's role is crucial for predicting cancer spread.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine lymphatic vessel distribution in normal prostate tissue.
- To investigate the relationship between LVD and lymph node status in prostate cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- Lymphatic vessel density (LVD) was assessed using D2-40 immunostaining in 7 non-cancerous and 37 cancerous prostate tissues.
- D2-40 staining was compared with VEGF receptor-3 and CD34 markers.
Main Results:
- D2-40 (podoplanin) exclusively marked lymphatic vessels in all tissues, distinct from CD34+ blood vessels.
- Peritumoral LVD and lymphatic invasion significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis.
- VEGF receptor-3 was found in some D2-40+ lymphatic vessels.
Conclusions:
- Peritumoral lymphatic vessels, identified by D2-40 (podoplanin), are significant pathways for prostate cancer nodal metastasis.
- Heterogeneity in lymphatic endothelial cells is suggested by varied podoplanin and VEGF receptor-3 coexpression.