Immunohistochemical study of microvessel density in different microscopic grades of salivary glands mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Introdution: Angiogenesis is important for tumor growth and metastasis. It is determined by microvessel density (MVD). The goal of this study was to evaluate microvessel density in the salivary glands mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) and its association with histological grading.

In this cross-sectional study, 17 mucoepidermoid carcinoma paraffin blocks were extracted. CD34 immunohistochemically staining was done for evaluation of vascular density. Microvessel density was measured by vessel counting at ×400 magnification, in vascular areas with the highest concentration. The obtained results were analysed using ANOVA method and post hoc test of Scheffe.

The mean of microvessel density in low, intermediate and high grades were 31.66, 47.66 and 47.8, respectively. Significant difference was observed between the mean of microvessel density and histological grading of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (P =0.024). The mean of microvessel density in the high and intermediate grades tumors were significantly more than low grade (p =0.039 and p =0.025, respectively), but there was no significant difference in the mean of microvessel density between the high and intermediate histological grades )p=1.000).

According to the results, there is a significant association between angiogenesis and histological grades of mucoepidermoid carcinoma and also more angiogenesis is observed in tumors with higher malignant grade.