Korean J Gastroenterol.  2000 Jul;36(1):46-53.

Histologic Features and Clinical Significance of Vascular Invasion in Gastric Adenocarcinoma

• Choi SR
• Choi DH
• Han SY
• Jeong JS

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Vascular invasion was reported to be related to hematogenous metastasis of stomach cancer. We studied the recurrence and metastasis pattern of vascular invasion according to its histologic features and clinical significance.
METHODS
We reviewed 137 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent gastrectomy. These cases were classified into 3 groups. We defined the case of no adjacent invasion or metastasis as recurrence free group (n=73), the case of no adjacent invasion or metastasis at the time of operation, but showing evidence of recurrence within 3 years follow-up study as metachronous group (n=45). The case of adjacent invasion or metastasis at the time of operation was defined as synchronous group (n=19). Histologic features of vascular invasion were classified into 3 types: floating, filling and occlusive type. RESULTS: The mean frequency of vascular invasion of the three groups was 32.9%, and metachronous group (53.3%) or synchronous group (57.9%) had significantly higher frequency of vascular invasion than recurrence free group (p<0.001). The lymph node stage and the depth of tumor invasion were significantly associated with the frequency of vascular invasion (p=0.001). Floating type was observed frequently in metachronous and synchronous group, but recurrence free group had relatively high frequency of occlusive type.
CONCLUSIONS
Vascular invasion, especially floating type, is closely related to hematogenous metastasis. Histologic features of vascular invasion appear to provide a useful prognostic factor in predicting recurrence pattern.

Keyword

Vascular invasion; Floating type; Filling type; Occlusive type; Gastric adenocarcinoma

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma*
Follow-Up Studies
Gastrectomy
Lymph Nodes
Neoplasm Metastasis
Recurrence
Stomach Neoplasms