Assessment of microvessel density in core needle biopsy specimen in breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Estimation of microvessel density (MVD) in primary breast cancer in core needle biopsies (CNB) may predict response to systemic therapy. The aim of the present study was to explore the accuracy of assessment of MVD in CNB related to MVD in excised tumours.


METHODS
MVD was estimated in core biopsies and subsequently excised tumours in 54 consecutive patients with breast cancer without pre-operative treatment.


RESULTS
The correlation between MVD in CNB and excised tumours was non-significant. However, in tumours larger than 20 mm (r=0.56, p=0.005) and in lobular carcinomas (r=0.55, p=0.014) a significant correlation was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The overall accuracy between estimation of MVD on CNB and excised breast tumours was non-significant. The usefulness of MVD in CNB as a marker of response to systemic therapy should be further validated before it can be used in clinical practice.
Rydén
Lisa
L
Department of Surgery, Helsingborg Hospital, Helsingborg, Sweden. lisa.ryden@helsingborgslasarett.se
Boiesen
Poul
P
Jönsson
Per-Ebbe
PE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A