title: Significance of microvessel density in prostate cancer core biopsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In prostate tumors, angiogenesis, measured as microvessel density, is associated with tumor stage and Gleason score. The aim of this study was determine neovascularization of prostatic adenocarcinomas in core biopsies and corresponding prostatectomies.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population included 61 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) for localized prostate carcinoma patients and did not receive chemohormonal, or radiation therapy before surgery. Tumor blocks were immunostained using the endothelial-specific antibody CD31 and subsequently evaluated at x 400 magnification in both biopsies and corresponding prostatectomies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When comparing microvessel density in core biopsies and corresponding prostatectomies, no statistically significant difference was found (p > 0.1). A statistically significant positive correlation was found when determining correlation between microvessel density (as linear and categorical variable, i.e., with the cut-off value of 48) that was associated with the Gleason score (p < 0.05) and tumor stage (p < 0.0001). There was no correlation between microvessel density and preoperative values of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (p > 0.1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Microvessel density can be reliably applied to needle prostate biopsy specimens. Quantification of the microvascular density in biopsies is an accurate pre-operative predictor of tumor stage, discriminating between organ-confined and organ-extending neoplasms.
authors.forename: Aleksandra Salapura
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Dugonjić
authors.forename: Slavica Knezević
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Usaj
authors.forename: Zivka
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Eri
authors.forename: Ljiljana Tadić
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Latinović
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D062005:Biopsy, Large-Core Needle / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D061705:Image-Guided Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011467:Prostate / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055771:Serbia; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen