Benign vascular proliferations--an immunohistochemical and comparative study.

Hemangiomas constitute a heterogeneous group of benign vascular proliferations. Their pathogenesis is not completely understood. In this study the expression of GLUT-1, VEGF, Ki-67, bcl-2 and apoptotic index in twenty-six cases of infantile capillary hemangioma (ICH), fifteen of lobular capillary hemangioma (LCH) and nine of epithelioid hemangioma were examined. The expression of GLUT-1 was confined to ICH group and was completely absent in LCH and EH. The significant differences in the expression of VEGF, proliferative index and apoptosis between ICH, LCH, EH were found. The proliferative index and VEGF expression were highest in LCH. Apoptotic index was similar in LCH an ICH but negative in EH. The lesions examined did not differ significantly in bcl-2 expression. The GLUT-1 expression was not only Ki-67 but also apoptosis independent. Our findings might reflect the differences in biology and pathogenesis of hemangiomas.