Relationship Between Angiogenesis and Prognosis in Glial Tumors

Abstract

Objective: Glial tumors constitute about 40-45 % of all intracranial tumors. These tumors, which can occur in all ages, are known to have high mortality and morbidity rates. There are many studies in literature aimed to detect the prognosis and the new modalities of therapy in glial tumors. Recently a new parameter is considered besides other well known prognostic factors: Angiogenesis. In such studies it is reported that CD31 is very specific for endothelial cells. The aim of this study is to investigate the prognostic significance of angiogenesis correlated with the patients age, sex, tumor grade, histological findings and survival by the help of CD31 staining consistency and intensity.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 36 cases of glial tumors from the archives of Inonu University School of Medicine Department of Pathology between 1995 and 2000 were studied. Staining densities for CD31, types and extension of angiogenesis, and comparison of this feature with other known prognostic factors were examined.

Conclusion: Channelled-telangiectatic and solid-glomeruloid types of vascular proliferation were found to have a major role in growth of tumor yielding an increased vascular supply. It is considered that these types of vascular proliferations had roles in different stages of angiogenesis and were important in the progression of these tumors.