TUMOR ANGIOGENESIS AS A MAJOR PROGNOSTIC FACTOR IN STAGE-I LUNG ADENOCARCINOMA

We investigated the correlation between tumor angiogenesis and prognos is of T1NOMO lung adenocarcinoma. Materials and Methods: Forty two spe cimens resected from patients with T1NOMO lung adenocarcinoma were inv estigated by immunohistochemical staining with a monoclonal antibody t o CD31. The relationship between microvessel count, clinicopathologic factors and prognosis was studied. Results: The microvessel count was significantly higher in cases with vessel invasions than in those with out. Univariate analysis showed that microvessel count was related to poorer prognosis. In patients with a high microvessel count (greater t han or equal to 38), prognosis was significantly poorer than in those with a low count (<38). Multivariate analysis indicated that the micro vessel count and mitosis are prognostic factors in patients with lung cancer, and that the microvessel count is a more important factor than mitosis. Conclusions: Microvessel count may be a major prognostic fac tor and a useful tool to predict recurrence in patients with T1NOMO lu ng adenocarcinoma.