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Published in:

01-03-2007

Lymphatic Microvessel Density is an Independent Prognostic Factor in Colorectal Cancer

Authors: Kentaro Matsumoto, M.D., Yoshifumi Nakayama, M.D., Ph.D., Yuzuru Inoue, M.D., Ph.D., Noritaka Minagawa, M.D., Ph.D., Takefumi Katsuki, M.D., Kazunori Shibao, M.D., Ph.D., Yosuke Tsurudome, M.D., Ph.D., Keiji Hirata, M.D., Ph.D., Naoki Nagata, M.D., Ph.D., Hideaki Itoh, M.D., Ph.D.*

Published in: Diseases of the Colon & Rectum | Issue 3/2007

Purpose

Although lymph node metastasis via lymphatic vessels often is related with an adverse outcome, it is not well known whether lymphatic spread to lymph node needs the development of the new lymphatic formation. In addition, the correlation between lymphangiogenesis and prognosis has not been well documented. This study was designed to assess the prognostic value of lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic vessel invasion in colorectal cancer.

Methods

We examined 106 colorectal cancer specimens by immunostaining for podoplanin, lymphatic endothelial specific marker. We evaluated lymphangiogenesis, as measured by lymphatic microvessel density, and lymphatic vessel invasion. We next investigated the association of these two parameters with the clinicopathologic findings and prognosis.

Results

A significant correlation was observed between high lymphatic microvessel density and positive lymphatic vessel invasion (P = 0.0003). Positive lymphatic vessel invasion was significantly associated with the presence of lymph node metastasis (P = 0.0071). The survival curves demonstrated that both high lymphatic microvessel density and positive lymphatic vessel invasion were correlated with an adverse outcome (P = 0.0004 and P = 0.009, respectively). In a univariate analysis, high lymphatic microvessel density and positive lymphatic vessel invasion were negatively associated with the overall survival (P = 0.0011 and P = 0.0118, respectively). Furthermore, high lymphatic microvessel density, but not lymphatic vessel invasion, correlated with a poor outcome in a multivariate analysis (P = 0.0114).

Conclusions

Our data suggested that lymphatic vessel invasion was related with lymph node metastasis and that both lymphatic microvessel density and lymphatic vessel invasion were related with an adverse outcome in colorectal cancer. Furthermore, lymphatic microvessel density may be a useful prognostic factor in colorectal cancer.

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Title: Lymphatic Microvessel Density is an Independent Prognostic Factor in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Kentaro Matsumoto, M.D.
Yoshifumi Nakayama, M.D., Ph.D.
Yuzuru Inoue, M.D., Ph.D.
Noritaka Minagawa, M.D., Ph.D.
Takefumi Katsuki, M.D.
Kazunori Shibao, M.D., Ph.D.
Yosuke Tsurudome, M.D., Ph.D.
Keiji Hirata, M.D., Ph.D.
Naoki Nagata, M.D., Ph.D.
Hideaki Itoh, M.D., Ph.D.*
Publication date: 01-03-2007
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Diseases of the Colon & Rectum / Issue 3/2007
Print ISSN: 0012-3706
Electronic ISSN: 1530-0358
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10350-006-0792-y

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Lymphatic Microvessel Density is an Independent Prognostic Factor in Colorectal Cancer

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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