Importance of tumour cell invasion in blood and lymphatic vasculature among patients with endometrial carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Vascular invasion is a prognostic marker for many cancers, including endometrial carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry using D2-40 and CD31 antibodies makes it possible to differentiate between lymphatic vascular invasion (LVI) and blood vessel invasion (BVI). The aim was to examine lymphatic and blood vessel invasion separately and their associations with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemistry was performed on a retrospective population-based series of endometrial carcinoma. Altogether, 31% of the 276 tumours showed lymphatic involvement, whereas 18% showed blood vessel invasion. LVI and BVI were associated with histopathological variables such as histological grade and tumour growth pattern. Patients without vascular invasion had the best prognosis and those with BVI (with or without LVI) had the worst outcome, whereas patients with LVI had an intermediate survival on univariate analysis. Multivariate models indicated that both LVI and especially BVI had independent prognostic importance. Among endometrioid carcinomas, BVI was still significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings support the biological importance of vascular spread through the haematogenic and lymphatic routes in endometrial cancer. The significant correlation found with clinical phenotype indicates that these markers may be relevant for patient management.
Mannelqvist
Monica
M
The Gade Institute, Section for Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Stefansson
Ingunn
I
Salvesen
Helga B
HB
Akslen
Lars A
LA
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; C500987:monoclonal antibody D2-40