Angiogenesis predicts poor prognosis in gastric carcinoma

Background/Aims: New prognostic factors in gastric carcinoma to determine t he prognosis of the disease or to identify patients who will benefit from a djuvant therapy are being researched. The aim of this study is to investiga te the correlation between microvessel count (MVC) and various clinicopatho logic features in gastric carcinoma in order to evaluate the role of angiog enesis on the prognosis of gastric cancer. Methods: Fifty-seven patients wh o underwent surgical intervention for gastric carcinoma between 1993 and 19 97 were reviewed retrospectively. The relationship between MVC and various clinicopathological features was assessed, The effect of angiogenesis on ov erall survival and the role of MVC and other prognostic factors on distant metastases were assessed by multivariate analysis. Microvessels were outlin ed by anti-factor VIII, which is a specific monoclonal antibody to factor V III in vessel endothelial cells, using the streptavidin-biotin method and c ounted under light microscopy x 200 magnification. Results: There was no co rrelation between MVC and age or sex of the patient, duration of symptoms o r tumor size. Proximally located, undifferentiated, diffuse type, serosal i nvasion positive, lymph node invasion positive, advanced stage, or distantl y metastasized tumors had higher MVCs. Higher MVCs affected the overall sur vival adversely. Lymph node metastasis, serosal invasion and MVC were found as independent prognostic factors affecting distant metastases. MVC was th e sole factor affecting recurrent liver metastasis. Conclusion: It is concl uded that MVC in gastric carcinoma may be a valuable prognostic factor to p redict patients at high-risk for possible recurrences and to decide on post operative adjuvant therapy. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.