Assessing microvessel density in gastric carcinoma: a comparison of three markers.

Angiogenesis (AG) is necessary for cancer progression. In some cases the intensity of AG may affect the prognosis. The aim of the study was to compare the results of vessel density assessment using the stereological method and immunohistochemical reactions for three endothelial markers: CD31, CD34 and vWf. The material consisted of 40 gastric carcinoma cases. The specimens were processed and the immunohistochemical reactions performed routinely. To assess the microvascular density the stereological parameter of "length density" and the "hot spots" method were employed. Image acquisition and the measurements were done using the image analysis system AnalySIS 3.0 pro with custom-made applications. It was observed that CD34-stained preparations were the easiest to assess. The number of labeled vessels, and especially microvessels, was also the highest in the case of the above reaction. The results achieved in AG evaluation using various endothelial markers are not directly comparable. The vascular network density was significantly associated with tumor stage. Such an association was most clearly seen in CD34 reactions.