Published online Jun 25, 1996. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v2.i2.86
Revised: March 10, 1996
Accepted: May 10, 1996
Published online: June 25, 1996
AIM: To investigate the correlation between microvessel count and various clinicopathologic factors and prognosis of gastric carcinoma using immunohistochemical staining with anti-factor-VIII-related antigen (F-RAg) antibody.
METHODS: A total of 128 specimens resected from patients with gastric carcinoma were investigated by immunohistochemical staining with a monoclonal antibody against F-RAg. Correlations between the microvessel count (the mean number of microvessel in the five areas of highest vascular density at 200 × magnification) and various clinicopathologic factors and prognosis were studied for 86 cases with complete follow-up data.
RESULTS: The mean microvessel count of all patients was 16.5 ± 8.5; the microvessel count increased with histological stage and was significantly higher in patients with lymph node metastasis than those without such metastasis (18.3 ± 8.7 vs 13.8 ± 7.4, P < 0.01). In addition, the prognosis of 86 patients who were followed up for at least 5 years after surgery was significantly worse for patients who had a tumor with a high microvessel count (≥ 16) than for those with a low microvessel count (< 16), and the 5-year survival rates were 42.5% and 58.7% respectively (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Microvessel count may be a useful prognostic indicator in patients with gastric carcinoma.