Tumor vascularization, hypoxia, staging of tumors and radiocurability

Retrospective, morphometric analysis of histological preparations from cervical cancers indicate that the stromal component of the neoplastic tissue is richer in vascular elements in the cases in which the patients have a prolonged survival after radiotherapy. The finding supports earlier observations which indicate a relationship between intercapillary distance and radiocurability of cervical cancers. The routine determination of a vascularity index V, denoting the grade of vascular density in the neoplastic tissue, is suggested as a complementary parameter for the classification of tumours. Access to such an index could promote a more individualized tumor therapy, especially in regard to the control of radioresistant, hypoxic cells.