Prognostic Value of Microvascular Density in Dukes A and B (T1–T4, N0, M0)‎ Colorectal Carcinomas

Abstract EN

Background.

Aproximatelly 30% of patients operated on for colorectal cancer (CRC), with an expectedly favourable prognosis (Dukes A-B/T1–T4, N0, M0) suffer recurrence and/or die.

Method.

In order to determine if tumor microvascular density (MVD) is a prognostic factor in CRC, samples from tumors of 104 Dukes A-B CRC patients were retrospectively studied.

Immunohistochemistry was performed for anti-CD34 antibody to visualize tumor vascularisation.

MVD was expressed as the total number of vessels and as the percentage of microvascular area.

We calculated MVD with a morphometry program and performed descriptive, bivariate, and survival statistics.

Results.

The mean number of vessels was 37.37/200x field, and the mean vascular area was the 3.972%.

30% of the patients with <37 vessels/field, and 21% of the patients with >37 vessels/field, experienced recurrence/death.

The 35% of patients with <4% of vascular area died following recurrence, compared with 14% of patients with ≥4% of vascular area.

These differences in % of vascular area were statistically significant.

Conclusion.

MVD expressed as the total number of vessels had no a statistically significant influence on the evolution of CRC.

However, neoplasias with a greater % of vascular were associated to a better outcome.