Apoptosis, vascularity, and proliferation in primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL): a histopathological study.
BACKGROUND
In the present study apoptosis, vascularity, and proliferation were quantitatively analyzed with immunohistopathological techniques in primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL). Statistical analysis of these parameters was performed to evaluate their possible relationship with the unfavorable outcome of this tumor.


METHODS
A series of 32 PCNSL patients for a total of 33 tumors treated from 1984 to 2000 in the Neurosurgical Department were reviewed, and their histologic specimens examined for apoptosis, vascularity, and proliferation.


RESULTS
Patients were treated with either gross total/subtotal tumor removal or stereotactic biopsy. Vascularity was studied by means of FVIII staining, proliferative index with Ki-67 staining, and apoptosis with the TUNEL technique. Most tumors could be classified as immunoblastic or centroblastic B-Cell NHL. Mean Mib-1 Labeling Index was 35.34% (5-80), blood vessel density of 40.8 per 10 high power fields. Apoptotic cells were zero or less than 8 cells per 10 high power fields.


CONCLUSIONS
No statistically significant correlation between survival and histopathological parameters could be shown. However, the apoptosis index was found to be negatively correlated with proliferative index and may account for a more aggressive clinical course of PCNSL.
Roser
Florian
F
Center for Experimental Neuro-Oncology, Klinikum Hannover Nordstadt, Hannover, Germany.
Saini
Marco
M
Meliss
Rainer
R
Ostertag
Helmut
H
Samii
Madjid
M
Bellinzona
Mattia
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017209:Apoptosis; D001706:Biopsy; D002455:Cell Division; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies