The Association between Angiogenesis and Pathological Stage in Colon Adenocarcinoma Based on Immunohistochemical CD34 Staining

Finding non-invasive methods in predicting pathological stage is important for more accurate prognosis and treatment-related decision-making. In this study, using immunohistochemical CD34 staining, the association between the rate of angiogenesis and tumor pathological stage was examined in colon adenocarcinoma.

In this comparative cross-sectional study, 60 cases with colon adenocarcinoma admitted to Afzalipour hospital in Kerman, Iran, between 2014 and 2016, were enrolled. Appropriates Paraffin blocks of tumoral tissue were selected, and the mean number of vessels was determined through CD34 staining. The groups were then compared in terms of the pathological stage of individual cases.

The mean number of vessels was 25.2 ± 8.9, and the minimum and maximum were 11 and 44, respectively. The mean number of young vessels in 12 patients (20%) was mild, in 29 patients (48.3%) was moderate, and in 19 patients (31.7%) was severe category. ANOVA test demonstrated that the number of new vessels was significantly lower in cases at lower stages.

Significant reverse association was observed between the rate of angiogenesis and pathological stage. Therefore, the number of young vessels created in the tumor can probably be one of the predictors of pathologic stage.