Angiogenesis and stromal fibronectin expression in invasive breast carcinoma

Angiogenesis and stromal fibronectin (SFN) expression were immunohistochemically analyzed in 83 breast cancer specimens. Microvessel count (MVC), which correlated with lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, recurrence, and mortality, was relatively low in SFN-positive tumors. SFN expression did not correlate with lymph node metastases or tumor size. However, SFN positivity was less likely in patients with recurrent disease than in those without recurrence, and relapse-free survival was significantly better in patients with SFN-positive tumors than in those with SFN-negative tumors. MVC and SFN positivity were significant independent predictors of relapse-free survival as well as tumor size and axillary nodal status (Cox's proportional hazards regression analysis). Angiogenesis and SFN expression, both of which are inversely related, can be used prognostically in patients with breast cancer.