AIMS: Sguamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus is among the
most malignant neoplasms and is associated with a dismal prognosis.
Angiogenesis is essential for solid tumor growth. Although intratumoral
microvessel density (MVD), which represents a measure of tumor
angiogenesis, is an important prognostic factor in several tumors, its role
in SCC of the esophagus is still controversial. Mast cells are among the
host immune cells which have been implicated in tumor angiogenesis. The
role of mast cell density (MCD) in prognosis and angiogenesis is yet to be
delineated in this disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the
prognostic significance of MVD and MCD in SCC of the esophagus and to
evaluate the correlation between them. METHODS: The role of MVD and
MCD were investigated in tumor specimens from 60 patients diagnosed
as SCC of the esophagus. Vascular endothelial cells were stained with
anti-CD34 antibody and mast cells with toluidine blue. RESULTS:
MVD and MCD were significantly associated with tumor size,
histologic grade, lymph node metastasis and tumor stage. A significant
correlation was noted between MVD and MCD values (p<0.05). However,
no significant association was found between both MVD and MCD and
patient's age, sex or with tumor location (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: These
results support the suggestion that MVD is a reliable independent
prognostic factor in SCC of the esophagus. Moreover, MCD was found to
have a role in angiogenesis of these tumors and might be implicated in
the biological behaviour of this type of cancer.
119
Nihal S. Abd El-Wahab 7.afer and Nahed S. Bassily |
