Microvessel Density in Common Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors

Salivary gland tumors are heterogeneous neoplasms with relatively low incidence. Due to uncertainty regarding the role of angiogenesis in malignant salivary gland tumors, the aim of present study was assessment of blood vessel density in two malignant salivary gland tumors. In this descriptive-analytical study, a total of 40 paraffin blocks of adenoid cystic carcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma were removed. Immunohistochemical staining was done for evaluation of blood vessel density with CD34. Tumors were divided into two groups of low and high malignancy. Clinical data of patients were extracted from the patients’ files and vascular density and its association with clinicopathological factors was evaluated by Kruskal-Wallis, Mann Whitney, Wilcaxson and X2 (Chi-Square) test. The means total density of blood vessels, intra tumoral and peri tumoral area in adenoid cystic carcinoma were 16.6±7.4, 11.9±5.9 and 4.8±2.3 and in mucoepidermoid carcinoma were 19.11±6.44, 14.47±5.63 and 4.63±1.73, respectively. Significant differences between mean total density of blood vessels (P=0. 279), central (P=0.171) and peripheral (P=0.734) in two lesions were observed. There was no significant difference in density of blood vessels between high and low grade malignant salivary gland tumors (P=0.21). No significant correlation was seen between microvessel density and age, sex and location. Higher grade malignancy and clinical parameters did not affect the blood vessel density. There were higher microvessel densities in central area than peripheral area of tumor.