The Prognostic Significance of Tumor Angiogenesis and Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Papillary Carcinomas of the Thyroid Gland

Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology 2004;20(2):135-142.
Published online November 30, 2004.

Hun Dae Kang;Seong Bae Kim;Tae Hyun Kim;Sang Hoon Oh;Hye Kyong Yoon;Sang Hyo Kim

갑상선 유두상 암종에서 종양혈관형성 및 혈관내피성장인자 발현의 예후인자적 의의

강헌대;김성배;김태현;오상훈;윤혜경;김상효

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate for prognostic significance of VEGF expression and tumor angiogenesis in papillary carcinomas of the thyroid. Materials and Methods: The materials were 79 cases of papillary thyroid carcinomas, and age, sex, tumor size, multiplicity of tumor, capsular invasion, lymph node metastasis, recurrence, TNM stage, DeGroot stage and AMES scale were evaluated. An immunohistochemical stains for CD 34 to estimate microvessel density (MVD), and VEGF were done. MVD was defined as an average count of vessels per ×400 power field in the most vascularized area. VEGF expression was interpreted as 1+ and 2+ according to staining intensity and percentages of positive cells.
Results
Mean score of MVD was 39.7±16.9. MVD were significantly higher in cases with capsular invasion (p=0.0001), lymph node metastasis (p=0.0001), TNM stage III (p=0.0022), DeGroot stage III (p=0.0163) and high risk group by AMES scale (p=0.0001). VEGF 2+ expression rate was significantly increased in cases with capsular invasion and lymph node metastasis (p=0.0006, p=0.0013), and in cases with TNM stage III, DeGroot stage III and high risk group by AMES scale (p=0.0236, p=0.0003, p=0.0293). In VEGF 2 + expression group, MVD was significantly higher than in VEGF 1 + group (p=0.0008), and MVD showed positive relation to VEGF 2 + expression (r=0.4616).
Conclusion
VEGF expression and high MVD were significantly correlated to capsular invasion, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage III, DeGroot stage III and high risk group by AMES scale. The expression of VEGF and high MVD could be considered to be one of prognostic factor in papillary thyroid carcinomas.

Key Words: Papillary thyroid carcinoma, Angiogenesis, VEGF