Quantization of Angiogenesis and Image Analysis

Abstract

Quantitative Pathology is engaged with the determination of morphological characteristics of tissues. One important field of measurement is the estimation of angiogenesis in malignant neoplasms. The parameters of angiogenesis that are determined include: microvascular density (MVD), total vascular area (TVA) and vessel’s major axis length, minor axis length, area, perimeter, compactness, shape factor and Feret diameter [1-3]. The statistical correlations of the above mentioned parameters with prognosis or clinicopathological characteristics result in conclusions about the malignant potential and aggressiveness of different malignant tumors. In the present review article, we identify basic morphometric parameters used to characterize angiogenesis and describe the method of quantization by the appropriate image analysis software. Keywords: Angiogenesis, image analysis.