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Morphological analysis of vascular density in ependymomas
Joanna Duda-Szymańska1, Wielisław Papierz
1Chair and Department of Pathomorphology, Medical University of Łódź, Pomorska, Poland.
Folia Neuropathologica
|September 13, 2007
Summary
Microvessel density, a prognostic factor in many cancers, was studied in ependymomas. Higher blood vessel density correlated with higher tumor grade (WHO G3) in these gliomas.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Tumor biology
- Histopathology
Background:
- Ependymomas typically exhibit slow growth but can have unpredictable biology.
- Microvessel density is a known prognostic factor in various malignant neoplasms, correlating with metastasis and survival.
- Previous studies suggest blood vessel density may hold prognostic value in neuroepithelial tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prognostic value of microvessel density in ependymomas.
- To determine if blood vessel density correlates with tumor grade in ependymomas.
Main Methods:
- Studied 51 ependymomas (WHO G2 and G3).
- Visualized vasculature using CD31 and FVIII immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded sections.
- Quantified blood vessel density with a computed image analysis system.
- Performed statistical evaluation of the data.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher blood vessel density was observed in anaplastic (WHO G3) ependymomas compared to WHO G2 ependymomas.
- No significant difference in blood vessel density was found between subtypes of WHO G2 ependymomas.
- A correlation was identified between blood vessel density and the histological malignancy grade of ependymomas.
Conclusions:
- Blood vessel density appears to be linked to the histological malignancy grade in ependymomas.
- Microvessel density may serve as a prognostic indicator for ependymoma malignancy.
