Angiogenesis in Squamous Epithelial Lesionsof the Uterine Cervix

Ahn, Chi Seok; Kang, Ji Yeon; Lee, Tae Soo; Seong, Rho Hyun

Abstract

Since Folkman's novel hypothesis, it is well known that tumors depend on the angiogenesis for their growth, expansion, and possibly metastasis. Several angiogenic factors have been identified and shown to be produced by tumors. In some cancers, the angoigenic activity in the tumor is correlated with the clinical outcome. Clinically, the presence of macroscopic or colposcopic abnormal vascular patterns of the uterine cervical lesions would suggest that the angiogenic activities are associated with various cervical squamous epithelial lesions. This study was designed to look at the relationship between angiogenesis and squamous epithelial lesions of the uterine cervix and to determine whether squamous intraepithelial lesions are angiogenic as cervical cancers are. Tissue sections from 53 surgical specimens(6 normal cervix, 4 chronic cervictis, 9 low grade SII, 8 high grade SIL, 7 MIC, 19 squamous cell carcinoma) were immunohistochemically stained for CD 34 a specific marker for endothelial cels. Stained vessels in the most intense area on a X200 light microscopic field were selected and counted automatically using computer software for color-image analysis. Stained vessel counts were 19.7 +/- 9.1 in normal cervix, 33.5 +/-5.8 in chronic cervicitis, 38.8 +/- 10.9 in LGSIL, 67.0 +/- 23.6 in HGSIL, and 73.4 +/- 20.6 in microinvasive carcinoma, 77.8 +/- 28.7 in squamous cell carcinoma, respectively. Vessel counts showed a statistically increasing tendency in more advanced squamous epithelial lesins. Tumor angiogenesis is not related to inflammatory response. Also, the process of the angiogenic switching may begin from low grade SIL to high grade SIL. This study suggests that the angiogenic activity also involved in SILs as invasive cancer are and may be related to grade of SELs.