The "cavitary" type of angiogenesis by gastric cancer. Morphological characteristics and prognostic value

The "cavitary" type of angiogenesis in patients with gastric cancer (GC) is described for the first time.

The samples of tumour and adjacent gastric mucosa (GM) in 73 patients with GC who had undergone radical surgery were being studied. The sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemically (IGH) using antibodies to CD34.

А new type of vessel formation consists of the appearance of cavitary structures (CS) in tumours and the adjacent GM, which are then lined by endothelial cells and merged into the blood vessels of the organ. We believe that the CS can be formed by means: 1) of the abruption of layers of epithelial cells (both normal and tumoral) from their underlying foundation and their desquamation into the lumen of the "obliterated" gastric glands (GG); 2) of the dilatation of the GG and thinning of their walls; 3) of the formation of "cavity" directly in the lamina propria of GM or in the tumoral stroma. It was noted that only the presence of multiple "cavitary" vessels (CV) of type-1 had been associated with the decrease of 3-year overall survival (OR=15,0, 95%CI=2,96-76,31) and relapse-free survival (OR=14,93, 95%CI=4,34-51,38). We also observed the improvement of the long-term outcomes in patients with GC having received antibacterial therapy (AT) before surgery that can be associated with its influence on the formation of CV type-1.

The described new type of angiogenesis is of great clinical importance.