Abstract
Unrestrained growth of various malignant tumours has been shown to depend upon a critical number of tumour cells which have switched to the angiogenic phenotype. Angiogenic phenotypes were noted in the early stage of prostatic carcinoma (PCa). We investigated 65 cases of latent PCa to define the correlation between tumour angiogenesis and tumour volume. Tumour angiogenesis was determined by the blood capillary density ratio (BCDR) evaluated by a colour image analysis system. Using experimental regression analysis, the correlation between the BCDR and PCa volume was divisible into two distinct stages. When the PCa showed a volume of more than 83 mm3, there was a significant positive correlation between the BCDR and PCa volume (rS-test P < 0.001). However, when the PCa showed a volume of less than 83 mm3, the BCDR remained at a low level which did not change until larger volumes were present (rS-test, NS; ANOVA, NS). The present study suggested that latent PCa showing a volume of less than 83 mm3 would be 'early' indolent carcinoma which, on undergoing additional events concerning tumour angiogenesis, would assume more aggressive growth.
Highlights
Sixty-five cases of latent prostatic carcinoma (PCa) were obtained at autopsy
A significant number of small-volume PCa showed low scores, and high and intermediate score PCa increased in number following tumour growth (X2-test: P
At a PCa volume of 83.125 ± 0.625 mm3, the correlation between the blood capillary density ratio (BCDR) and PCa volume could be divided into two distinct phenotypic stages (Figure 3 and Table II)
Summary
Sixty-five cases of latent PCa were obtained at autopsy. All specimens were fixed in 10% buffered formalin for 3-4 days, and cut in series at 3 mm intervals in transverse planes perpendicular to the rectal surface. After dehydration in graded alcohols, the tissues were embedded in paraffin. 4-gLm-thick sections were cut and stained with Mayer's haematoxylin and eosin. The tumours were classified according to Gleason's grading system (Gleason et al, 1974). Patterns of tumour growth were numbered in order of increasing histological malignancy, grades 1-5. A predominant and a secondary pattern grade were recorded. The sum of the two grades yielded a Gleason's score that ranged from 2 to 10. Scores of 2-4 were classified as low, 5-7 as intermediate and 8-10 as high
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