Tumor angiogenesis as a major prognostic factor in stage I lung adenocarcinoma

We investigated the correlation between tumor angiogenesis and prognosis of T1N0M0 lung adenocarcinoma.Forty two specimens resected from patients with T1NOM0 lung adenocarcinoma were investigated by immunohistochemical staining with a monoclonal antibody to CD31. The relationship between microvessel count, clinicopathologic factors and prognosis was studied.The microvessel count was significantly higher in cases with vessel invasions than in those without. Univariate analysis showed that microvessel count was related to poorer prognosis. In patients with a high microvessel count (or = 38), prognosis was significantly poorer than in those with a low count (38). Multivariate analysis indicated that the microvessel count and mitosis are prognostic factors in patients with lung cancer, and that the microvessel count is a more important factor than mitosis.Microvessel count may be a major prognostic factor and a useful tool to predict recurrence in patients with T1N0M0 lung adenocarcinoma.