[Prognostic significance of angiogenesis in surgically treated supraglottic squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx].

INTRODUCTION AND

OBJECTIVES

It is now generally accepted that angiogenesis is crucial in tumour growth. However, controversy still exists regarding the prognostic significance of angiogenesis in head and neck carcinomas. The aim of this paper is to determine the prognostic significance of angiogenesis in a homogeneously treated group of supraglottic squamous cell carcinomas.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

108 patients surgically treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx were studied. Angiogenesis was estimated in the primary tumour and in the nodal metastases by determining microvessel density using the "hot spot" method. Anti-CD34 antibody was used to stain blood vessels.

RESULTS

The mean microvessel density in primary tumours was 72+/-34 vessels/mm(2) and 58.5+/-31.5 vessels/mm(2) in nodal metastases. No correlation was found between microvessel density in the primary tumours and the corresponding nodal metastasis (P=0.195). No significant differences in microvessel density were observed in relation to clinico-pathological parameters or survival (P=0.19).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that microvessel density is not a useful prognostic marker in surgically treated supraglottic squamous cell carcinomas.