The prognostic significance of microvessel density in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Abstract

Objective: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC) is the second most common primary cancer of the liver. Tumor angiogenesis seem to play an important role in tumor growth and prognosis of cancer patients. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prognostic value of tumor microvessel density (MVD) in patients with IHCC. Material and Method: Clinicopathological prognostic factors, recurrence rate, and survival in 22 patients with IHCC who underwent liver resection for IHCC were reviewed. Tumor MVD was estimated using immunohistochemical methods. Overall probabilities of recurrence and survival were estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods. Prognostic significance of MVD and other factors was tested using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: There was no significant association between any clinicopathologic factors (age, sex, tumor markers, and pathologic factors including MVD) and time-to-tumor recurrence. The only prognostic factor associated with survival was tumor stage. MVD was neither a significant survival predictor nor a predictor of tumor recurrence. Conclusion: The only factor associated with poor prognosis in patients with IHCC in the present study was higher tumor stage. MVD was not a significant prognostic factor in patients with IHCC.