Induction of lymphangiogenesis in and around axillary lymph node metastases of patients with breast cancer

Br J Cancer. 2006 Nov 20;95(10):1362-6. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6603443. Epub 2006 Oct 31.

Abstract

We studied the presence of lymphangiogenesis in lymph node (LN) metastases of breast cancer. Lymph vessels were present in 52 of 61 (85.2%) metastatically involved LNs vs 26 of 104 (25.0%) uninvolved LNs (P<0.001). Furthermore, median intra- and perinodal lymphatic endothelial cell proliferation fractions were higher in metastatically involved LNs (P<0.001). This is the first report demonstrating lymphangiogenesis in LN metastases of cancer in general and breast cancer in particular.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Axilla*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / secondary*
  • Carcinoma, Lobular / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Lobular / secondary
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymphangiogenesis*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prognosis
  • Receptors, Estrogen

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • PDPN protein, human
  • Receptors, Estrogen