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Updated: Jul 29, 2026

12:03
Multi-photon Imaging of Tumor Cell Invasion in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: July 25, 2011
[Angiogenesis in head and neck tumor]
Y Mikami1, M Tsukuda, I Mochimatsu
1Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Yokohama City University.
Nihon Jibiinkoka Gakkai Kaiho
|April 1, 1993
Summary
Tumor angiogenesis, measured by microvessel count, correlates with head and neck cancer metastasis. Higher microvessel numbers indicate increased lymph node metastasis and advanced tumor stage.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Cancer Research
Context:
- Head and neck carcinomas are complex malignancies.
- Tumor angiogenesis plays a critical role in cancer progression.
- Understanding microvessel density is key to predicting tumor behavior.
Purpose:
- To investigate the correlation between tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth in head and neck carcinomas.
- To assess the relationship between microvessel count and clinicopathological factors.
- To evaluate the prognostic significance of microvessel density.
Summary:
- Microvessel count, assessed via immunohistochemical factor VIII, showed no correlation with primary lesion characteristics, histological differentiation, or T classification.
- Increased microvessel numbers correlated with a higher incidence of neck lymph node metastases.
- Microvessel density increased with advanced N and Stage classification and was higher in complete response cases post-chemotherapy, but paradoxically greater in non-recurrent patients.
Impact:
- The study suggests that microvessel count in primary tumors is a significant indicator of metastatic potential.
- Findings highlight the role of tumor angiogenesis in the progression of head and neck cancers.
- Microvessel density may serve as a prognostic biomarker for head and neck carcinoma patients.
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