Correlation of microvessel density with tumor type, tumor size, histological grade and lymph node status of breast carcinoma

Introduction: Microvessel density is used in assessment of the angiogenesis, a prognostic factor for many malignancies. While it has extensively been studied in cancers of lung, brain, colon, prostate as well as in melanoma, but, there are scanty reports for the study of microvessel density of breast carcinoma. Aim: Present study was aimed to find the correlation of microvessel density with tumor type, tumor size, histological grade and lymph node status. Study Design: The biopsy specimens, from 38 women diagnosed for carcinoma breast who underwent modified radical mastectomy and subsequently were examined with routine H&E stain and immunoperoxidase for CD-31 marker. Micro vessel density was measured as micro vessel count/mm2 on all the specimens of breast carcinoma. Micro vessel density correlated well with tumor size, tumor type, histological grade and lymph node status. Results: micro vessel density had significant positive correlation with tumor type, histological grade, and lymph node status (p<0.05). Conclusion: Estimation of micro vessel density could be used as the prognostic marker for breast carcinoma.