Tumor vascularity predicts recurrence in differentiated thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND: New prognosticators are necessary for optimizing the extent of thyroidectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy in differentiated thyroid carcinoma . METHODS: Tumor microvessel density (MVD), expression of thymidine phosphory lase (dThdPase) and CD68 stained macrophages were evaluated in 71 different iated thyroid carcinomas by an immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: The recurrence-free survival was significantly (P <0.05) shorter i n patients with hypervascular tumors but was not related to the dThdPase ex pression. Significant (R = 0.323, P <0.001) correlation between dThdPase ex pression score and increment in MVD was documented. Frequent high MVD and d ThdPase expression were encountered in tumors >3 cm. Twenty-two of the 27 ( 82%) patients expressing high dThdPase were also evaluated positive for CD6 8 (P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor MVD might be a new prognostic indicator of differentiate d thyroid carcinoma, whereas dThdpase expression with high MVD might serve to identify a subgroup of thyroid carcinoma patients as potential candidate s for adjuvant radiotherapy. Am J Surg. 1998; 176: 442-447. (C) 1998 by Exc erpta Medica, Inc.