Microvessel density does not predict outcome in high grade soft tissue sarcoma

• Published in: European journal of surgical oncology 2005-12, Vol.31 (10), p.1198-1205
• Main Authors: West, C.C., Brown, N.J., Mangham, D.C., Grimer, R.J., Reed, M.W.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Angiogenesis; Disease Progression; Extremities - blood supply; Female; Humans; Male; Microvessel density; Middle Aged; Neovascularization, Pathologic - mortality; Neovascularization, Pathologic - pathology; Outcome; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Sarcoma - blood supply; Sarcoma - metabolism; Sarcoma - mortality; Sarcoma - pathology; Soft tissue sarcoma; Survival Analysis; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - biosynthesis
• ISSN: 0748-7983; 1532-2157
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2005.04.012

The induction of new blood vessel growth into tumours from a pre-existing vascular bed (angiogenesis) is a characteristic of virtually all malignant tumours studied. Previous studies have demonstrated a consistent correlation between the extent of angiogenesis and disease prognosis for a wide range of carcinomas, but not for sarcomas. To investigate the most appropriate method for assessment of microvessel density (MVD) using a cohort of patients with large (>5 cm), deep (intramuscular), high grade soft tissue sarcoma and investigate any relationship between MVD, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and prognosis. Forty-two patients were included in the study. MVD was evaluated in peripheral, central, necrotic and hotspot areas within the tumour by either Chalkley count or total count of immunostained vessels in five high power (×200) visual fields. Hot spots of angiogenesis were only present in 33% of specimens. There was a strong correlation p