A lack of correlation between mast cells, angiogenesis, and outcome in non-small cell lung cancer.

Although a direct association between mast cells and cancer tumors is generally accepted, the exact nature of this relationship appears contradictory. The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of mast cells on tumor angiogenesis and outcome in Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The tissue specimens evaluated were from patients with NSCLC who had undergone resection with curative intent at the Medical University of Bialystok Hospital. Of the 90 patients studied, 67 were men. Average age at surgery was 59.68 years. Study population included 29 cases of adenocarcinoma, 44 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, and 17 cases of large cell carcinoma. The authors counted mast cells and microvessels in tumor sections. Mast cells were observed in small groups around vessels and in the cancer parenchyma. At a magnification of 200×, the number of mast cells was 28.90 ± 16.6. Intramural microvessels in endothelial cells were found in small groups, mostly at the margin. At a magnification of 200×, the number of microvessels was 221.69 ± 120.36. Spearman correlation was observed in patients with adenocarcinoma, and also in patients with stage II disease. This study did not show correlation between mast cells count and survival rate, and correlation between microvessel count and survival rate. In this study, mast cells infiltration of the tumor islets was not associated with patients' survival. The authors did not find correlation between mast cells count and angiogenesis, except only in patients with adenocarcinoma, and in patients with stage II disease.