Angiogenesis in endometrial cancer

We evaluated the level of angiogenesis in endometrial adenocarcinoma and in vestigated the relationship between tumor vascularity and clinicopathologic al parameters. The level of angiogenesis in noninvaded uterine smooth muscl e was also studied. Angiogenesis was studied in uteri of 29 post-menopausal women operated on for endometrial cancer. DAKO EPOS Anti-Human von Willebrand Factor/HRP antibodies were applied to m ark endothelial cells. Both vessels and endothelial cells were counted on a light microscope equipped with computerized morphometric appliance. The hi ghest density of vessels and endothelial cells was found in disease-free ut erine smooth muscle tissue situated distant to the tumor. Density of vessel s and endothelial cell counts were higher in the outer as compared to the c entral parts of the tumor. We found statistically significant differences i n total angiogenic points' density between groups of various clinical FIGO staging, specifically between Ia and Ib, Ic, II. A positive correlation was found between the clinical stage of the disease (according to FIGO) and th e total angiogenic points' density, density of endothelial cells and the de nsity of vessels with viable lumen (counts/sq. mm calculated from the centr al parts of the tumor). These results suggest that the analysis of angiogen esis may be a useful biologic parameter and additional study of neovascular ization in endometrial cancer is warranted.