Objective: To evaluate angiogenesis in colorectal tumorigenesis and to assess the prognostic significance of microvessel quantitation and VEGF status.
Methods: Thirty two colorectal carcinomas, 5 adenomas and 10 normal mucosa were studied immunohistochemically for microvessels and expression of VEGF.
Results: The mean vascular density (MVD) was 11 +/- 4 in normal mucosa, 28 +/- 11 in adenomas, and 50 +/- 22 in carcinomas (normal versus adenomas P > 0.05; normal versus carcinomas P < 0.01; adenomas versus carcinomas P < 0.05). MVD varied with tumor cell differentiation and tumor stage, but the differences were not significant. The expression of VEGF is closely associated with angiogenesis. Both MVD and VEGF expression were associated with prognosis.
Conclusion: VEGF status and MVD are of prognostic significance in colorectal cancer patients.