RELATIONSHIP OF ANGIOGENESIS AND AXILLARY LYMPH NODE METASTASIS IN BREAST CANCER

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to evaluated the relationship of tumor angiogenesis with axillary lymph node metastasis in patients with breast carcinoma. Solid tumors need neovascularisation for growing and metastatic activity. High angiogenesis of primary tumor may be a high risk index. Axillary lymph node metastasis, number of metastatic lymph node, extracapsular invasion of metastatic lymph node was determined in 44 patients operated on for invasive ductal carcinoma. Angiogenesis value of primary tumor was also determined with immunohistochemical method. Results were compared in order to establish the relationship. Mean angiogenesis value of primary tumors significantly increased with axillary node metastasis (p=0.00536). An increase of angiogenesis was found according to tumor size in patients without axillary nodal metastasis (p=0.068). Angiogenesis value of tumors with vascular invasion increased (p=0.07) when compared with tumors without invasion. We found significant increase of angiogenesis with high number of metastatic lymph nodes (p=0.044) and existence of extracapsular invasion (p=0.0058). Tumor growing and metastatic ability is dependent to angiogenetic potential in breast carcinoma. Angiogenesis of the primary tumor increases while metastatic stage advancing. Angiogenesis may be a risk marker when determined routinely with good standardization.