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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
A Modified In vitro Invasion Assay to Determine the Potential Role of Hormones, Cytokines and/or Growth Factors in Mediating Cancer Cell Invasion
Published on: April 24, 2015
Microvascular invasion is an independent prognostic factor in patients with prostate cancer treated with radical
Alberto A Antunes1, Miguel Srougi, Marcos F Dall'Oglio
1Division of Urology, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Objective:
Current published data regarding the prognostic value of microvascular invasion (MVI) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) have yielded mixed results. Furthermore, most important series had surgical procedures performed by multiple surgeons and surgical specimens analyzed by multiple pathologists. We determined the relation of MVI with other pathologic features and whether this finding can be used as an independent prognostic factor in patients with PCa.
Materials And Methods:
We selected 428 patients with clinically localized PCa treated with radical prostatectomy (RP). MVI was correlated to other pathologic features. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate survival curves and statistical significance was determined by the log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed through a Cox proportional hazards regression model.
Results:
Eleven percent out of the 428 patients presented MVI. Except for the lack of association with biopsy Gleason score, MVI was related to all clinical and pathologic features of RP specimens. Mean follow up after surgery was 53.9 +/- 20.1 months. Patients with MVI presented a recurrence rate of 44.6% compared to only 20.2% for patients without MVI (Log-rank test - p < 0.001). After Cox regression analysis, MVI was an independent prognostic feature related to biochemical recurrence.
Conclusions:
MVI is associated to advanced pathologic features of PCa and is an important prognostic factor regarding disease recurrence in patients treated with RP. These findings support the recommendations to the routine evaluation of this variable in pathologic reports of RP specimens.
Insights
Microvascular invasion (MVI) is linked to advanced prostate cancer (PCa) features and predicts disease recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP). Routine MVI evaluation in pathology reports is recommended for better patient prognostication.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Prognostic value of microvascular invasion (MVI) in prostate cancer (PCa) is debated.
- Previous studies often involved multiple surgeons and pathologists, potentially confounding results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the relationship between MVI and other pathological features in PCa.
- To assess if MVI is an independent prognostic factor for PCa recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 428 patients with clinically localized PCa treated with RP.
- Correlation of MVI with clinicopathological features.
- Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses for survival and recurrence.
Main Results:
- MVI was present in 11% of patients and associated with advanced pathological features.
- Patients with MVI had a significantly higher recurrence rate (44.6%) versus those without (20.2%).
- MVI was identified as an independent predictor of biochemical recurrence.
Conclusions:
- MVI is associated with adverse pathological characteristics in PCa.
- MVI is a significant prognostic factor for disease recurrence in patients undergoing RP.
- Routine pathological assessment of MVI in RP specimens is advised.
