Tumor angiogenesis as a predictor of recurrence in stage Ib squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the possibility of using histologic microvessel count of sections from the tumor to predict recurrence of stage Ib squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.


METHODS
Tumor sections from 22 patients (11 patients free of disease after 3 years and 11 patients with recurrence) were stained histoimmunochemically for factor VIII-related antigens. Vessel counting in the most active area of angiogenesis was performed by two pathologists on a x 200 microscopic field (0.739 mm2) without knowledge of the patient's' outcome. To predict recurrence, vessel count was compared with age, tumor size, tumor grade, lymph-vascular invasion, duration of follow-up, and type of therapy.


RESULTS
Only high microvessel count (mean 19.9, range 7-43, versus mean 30.1, range 17-78; P < .05) and tumor size (mean 2.84 cm, range 1-4.2, versus mean 4.11 cm, range 2.2-6; P < .05) were independent factors predicting recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
High microvessel count in tumors may be used to predict recurrence in stage Ib squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.
Dinh
T V
TV
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, USA.
Hannigan
E V
EV
Smith
E R
ER
Hove
M J
MJ
Chopra
V
V
To
T
T
D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000032:analysis
D014841:von Willebrand Factor