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Angiogenesis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Y Takebayashi1, S Natugoe, M Baba
1First Department of Surgery, Department of Cancer Chemotherapy, Institute for Cancer Research, Kagoshima University, Sakuragaoka 8-35-1, Kagoshima 890, Japan.
Oncology Reports
|April 18, 1998
Summary
Tumor angiogenesis, indicated by microvessel count, correlates with recurrence and prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients. Higher microvessel counts suggest a poorer outlook and increased risk of relapse.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a significant cause of cancer-related mortality.
- Understanding prognostic factors is crucial for effective patient management.
- Tumor angiogenesis plays a role in cancer progression and metastasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prognostic significance of tumor angiogenesis in ESCC.
- To explore the relationship between tumor angiogenesis and clinopathological variables.
- To determine if microvessel count can predict recurrence and survival in ESCC patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 127 curatively resected primary ESCC cases.
- Immunohistochemical staining for Factor VIII to identify blood vessels.
- Quantification of microvessel density (MVD) in high-vascularity areas.
- Correlation analysis with clinopathological factors and recurrence data.
- Multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazard modeling.
Main Results:
- Microvessel counts were significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (pN category), distant metastasis (pM category), venous invasion, and recurrence.
- A higher proportion of patients experienced recurrence with increasing microvessel counts.
- Multivariate analysis indicated that angiogenesis (microvessel count) trended towards predicting poorer prognosis in ESCC (Hazard Ratio: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00-1.07), though not statistically significant (P=0.088).
Conclusions:
- Tumor angiogenesis, assessed by microvessel count, is a potential marker for relapse in ESCC.
- Microvessel density shows a correlation with clinopathological variables and recurrence risk.
- While not an independent prognostic factor in this study, angiogenesis warrants further investigation for its role in ESCC progression and patient outcomes.