Distribution of newly formed vessels in human colorectal carcinomas with microangiography

Together, tumour cells and blood vessels compose a highly integrated ecosystem. This study was designed to investigate the distribution of newly formed vessels and the relationship of tissue structure to vascularity in human colorectal carcinomas.

Microangiography, a silicone rubber compound injection method, was used successfully to study 18 resected colon cases. Vascular densities were evaluated by soft x-ray examination, and histological constitution was assessed by an ocular, square lattice, superimposing technique.

On average, vascular density was 1.43 times greater (range 1.02-1.80) in tumour tissue than in normal mucosa. However, the vascular density in mucinous adenocarcinomas was significantly lower than that in well and moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas. When vascular densities were compared in an upper peripheral region (UR) and a lower central region (LR) (designated as upper and lower with reference to their position in relation to the submucosal vessels), the UR showed significantly higher vascular density than the LR. Histologically, the UR had a significantly higher density of carcinoma cells than the LR.

These results suggest that the vascularity of colorectal carcinomas varies with respect to their topographical position and their histological subtypes.