Vasculogenic mimicry contributes to lymph node metastasis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Survival of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) patients has remained unchanged over recent years due to its uncontrolled recurrence and local lymph node metastasis. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is an alternative type of blood supplement related to more aggressive tumor biology and increased tumor-related mortality. This study aimed to investigate the unique role of VM in the progression of LSCC.


METHODS
We reviewed clinical pathological data of 203 cases of LSCC both prospectively and retrospectively. VM and endothelium-dependent vessel (EDV) were detected by immunohistochemistry and double staining to compare their different clinical pathological significance in LSCC. Survival analyses were performed to assess their prognostic significance as well.


RESULTS
Both VM and EDV existed in LSCC type of blood supply. VM is related to pTNM stage, lymph node metastasis and pathology grade. In contrust, EDV related to location, pTNM stage, T stage and distant metastasis. Univariate analysis showed VM, pTNM stage, T classification, nodal status, histopathological grade, tumor size, and radiotherapy to be related to overall survival (OS). While, VM, location, tumor size and radiotherapy were found to relate to disease free survival (DFS). Multivariate analysis indicated that VM, but not EDV, was an adverse predictor for both OS and DFS.


CONCLUSIONS
VM existed in LSCC. It contributed to the progression of LSCC by promoting lymph node metastasis. It is an independent predictors of a poor prognosis of LSCC.
Department of Pathology, Tianjin Cancer Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300060, PR China.
Wei
W
Wang
Peng
P
Lin
Chunrong
C
Han
Wenjuan
W
Cai
Xiulan
X
Zhao
Baocun
B
Sun
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008198:Lymph Nodes; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate