Prognostic significance of tumor-induced angiogenesis in colorectal cancer

Introduction Tumor-induced angiogenesis is a central pathogenic step in the process of tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. The aim of this study was to analyze the quantitative expression of angiogenesis in colorectal carcinoma and to determine if and how angiogenesis correlates with other clinicopathologic factors and prognosis. Material and methods This study included 40 patients who underwent curative resection of colorectal cancer at the Department of Surgery of the Senta General Hospital with complete 5 years follow-up or till death. Microvessels were identified immunohistochemically using monoclonal CD31 antibodies. The microvessel count was assessed by means of stereology with test grid M42, as well as vascular surface density in the stromal volume at the invasive front of colorectal cancer. Results Tumor-induced angiogenesis count of colorectal carcinomas statistically significantly correlated with stage of disease and histologic tumor grade There was no significant correlation between intratumoral microvessel density and sex and age of patients, localization and histologic tumor type Five-year survival rate in patients with hypervascular colorectal tumors was statistically significantly lower than in patients with hypovascular tumors Thus, microvessel density in colorectal cancer is an independent prognostic factor, but its significance is less than the importance concerning stage of disease and histologic grade of tumor. Conclusions Intratumoral microvessel density quantification in histologic specimens of colorectal carcinoma reflects the biological malignant potential of tumors and may be a useful additional predictive marker. Assessment of intratumoral microvessel count might be used for determining the pathologic stage when adjuvant therapy is concerned. Microvessel density in tumor specimens is valuable in stratifying patients in planning appropriate adjuvant and antiangiogenic therapy after surgery.