Microvessels in Epithelial Ovarian Tumors: High Microvessel Density Is a Significant Feature of Malignant Ovarian Tumors.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Examine features of blood and lymphatic vessels in ovarian tumors and their significance to prognosis of ovarian cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 139 women with epithelial ovarian tumors were included: 86 malignant, 17 borderline and 36 benign. Density, percentage, mean size and number of blood microvessels in tumors were measured by immunohistochemistry with antibodies against CD34 and CD105. Lymphatic vessel density was assayed using the D2-40 antibody against podoplanin.

RESULTS

Angiogenesis was most profuse in malignant tumors. Small size of lymph vessels predicted 26% shorter 5-year survival of ovarian cancer patients. Further, high percentage of lymphatic vessels in tumors was associated with lymph node metastasis, and high density with cancer recurrence. Lower number of microvessels, as assessed by CD34 staining, predicted shorter progression-free survival. Additionally, the large size of microvessels assessed by CD34 and the high number of vessels assessed by CD105 were related to residual tumor >1 cm at primary surgery and also, large vessel size was associated with stage III, as assessed by CD105 staining.

CONCLUSION

CD34 and CD105 define different characteristics of microvessels. Parameters of lymph vessels may predict the prognosis of ovarian cancer.