Microvessel density in prostate cancer core biopsy – what is its value?
Introduction Increased early detection and subsequent radical surgery of prostatic cancer has prompted the search for methods and markers applicable to the initial core biopsy specimens and predictive for pathological stage and disease outcome. In prostate tumors, angiogenesis measured as microvessel density is associated with tumor stage and Gleason score. We have studied the neovascularization of prostatic adenocarcinomas in core biopsies and corresponding prostatectomies. Methods The study population included 61 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) for localized prostate carcinoma patients and did not receive chemo-, hormone, or radiation therapy before surgery. Tumor blocks were immunostained using the endothelial - specific antibody CD31 and subsequently evaluated at x400 magnification in both biopsies and corresponding prostatectomies. Results When comparing microvessel density in core biopsies and corressponding prostatectomies, no statistical significance was found (P˃ 0,1). Microvessel density (as linear and categorial variable, i.e. 48) was associated with Gleason score (p ˂0,05) and tumor stage (p ˂ 0,0001). There was no correlation between microvessel density and preoperative serum Prostatic specific antigen (p ˃ 0,1). Conclusions Microvessel density can be reliably applied to needle biopsy specimens. Quantification of the microvascular density in biopsies is accurate and independent pre-operative predictor of tumour stage, discriminating between organ-confined and organ-extending neoplasms.