Is tumour angiogenesis a prognostic factor in patients with colorectal cancer and no involved nodes?
OBJECTIVE
To examine a possible association between tumour angiogenesis and conventional prognostic variables and to assess the prognostic value of the variables examined in patients with colorectal cancer, with no involved nodes.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
University hospital, Italy.


METHODS
119 patients who had had colorectal cancers resected for cure with no involved nodes between 1985-1990.


METHODS
The three microscopic fields with the most microvessels were identified by immunohistochemical techniques. 10 high-power fields in each area were used for the microvessel count and the mean values indicated the microvessel density.


METHODS
Correlation of microvessel density with conventional prognostic factors, recurrence rates, and survival.


RESULTS
There was a significant correlation between microvessel density and sex, women having a higher density than men (p < 0.05), but no significant correlations between density and recurrence rates or survival. Multivariate analysis did not indicate that microvessel density had a prognostic role.


CONCLUSIONS
Microvessel density in colorectal cancer without involved nodes does not correlate with conventional prognostic factors and provides no prognostic information.
Pietra
N
N
Institute of General Surgery, University of Parma, School of Medicine, Italy.
Sarli
L
L
Caruana
P
P
Cabras
A
A
Costi
R
R
Gobbi
S
S
Bordi
C
C
Peracchia
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis