J. Jacquemier et al., Prognosis of breast-carcinoma lymphagenesis evaluated by immunohistochemical investigation of vascular-endothelial-growth-factor receptor 3, INT J CANC, 89(1), 2000, pp. 69-73
Very few studies have yet addressed the question of the existence and role
of lymphagenesis in tumor growth; it is generally overshadowed by the great
er emphasis placed on the blood vascular system. Monoclonal antibodies agai
nst vascular endothelial-growth-factor receptor 3 (VEGFR3) have been shown
to provide a specific antigenic marker for lymphatic endothelium. By compar
ison with the microvascular count (MVC), we investigated the prognostic val
ue of the microlymphatic count (MLC) in a series of 60 cases of 2-cm-diamet
er breast carcinomas. The mean value of MVC was 72.5 and of MLC, 40.5. Ther
e was no quantitative correlation between these 2 parameters. The MVC but n
ot the MLC had a prognostic value in overall survival. Neither the MLC nor
the MVC had any correlation with axillary-lymph-node invasion. (C) 2000 Wil
ey-Liss, Inc.