Sandro Pasquali1, Maria Cristina Montesco2, Chiara Ginanneschi3, Gianna Baroni4, Clelia Miracco5, Carmelo Urso3, Fabio Mele6, Anna Rita Lombardi7, Pietro Quaglino8, Laura Cattaneo9, Stefania Staibano10, Gerardo Botti11, Paolo Visca12, Marina Zannoni13, Giuseppe Soda14, Barbara Corti15, Luca Pilloni16, Luca Anselmi17, Amelia Lissia18, Margherita Vannucchi4, Cristina Manieli19, Daniela Massi4. 1. Melanoma and Sarcomas Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology, Padova, Italy. 2. Pathology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology, Padova, Italy. 3. S. Maria Annunziata Hospital, Firenze, Italy. 4. University of Firenze, Firenze, Italy. 5. University of Siena, Siena, Italy. 6. "Di Venere" and "San Paolo" Hospital, Bari, Italy. 7. Azienda Ospedaliera Rimini, Rimini, Italy. 8. University of Torino, Torino, Italy. 9. Riuniti Hospitals, Bergamo, Italy. 10. University "Federico II" of Napoli, Napoli, Italy. 11. National Cancer Institute "Pascale,", Napoli, Italy. 12. National Cancer Institute "Regina Elena,", Roma, Italy. 13. Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Integrata Verona, Verona, Italy. 14. University "La Sapienza,", Roma, Italy. 15. Policlinico S. Orsola Malpighi, Bologna, Italy. 16. University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. 17. P.A. Micone Hospital, Genova, Italy. 18. University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy. 19. G. Brotzu Hospital, Cagliari, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Scalp/neck melanomas have a poor prognosis, possibly because of a rich vascular supply that prompts tumor cells' dissemination. METHODS: We compared the accuracy of immunohistochemical (IHC) staining with morphology for the identification of lymphovascular invasion in 156 scalp/neck melanomas. We then analyzed the association of vessel invasion and density with pathological features and survival. RESULTS: IHC-detected lymphatic vessel invasion (LVI) and blood vessel invasion (BVI) were identified in 34.6% and 13.5% of cases, respectively. IHC increased the LVI/BVI detection compared to morphology (40.4% vs 16.6%; p < .001). The degree of peritumoral and intratumoral blood vessel density (BVD) was greater than lymphatic vessel density (LVD). Ulceration was the only factor independently associated with intratumoral (p = .029) and peritumoral (p = .047) BVD. Tumor thickness was the only independent predictor of survival (p = .002). CONCLUSION: IHC allows accurate assessment of lymphovascular invasion in scalp/neck melanomas. In these tumors, we observed a high incidence of BVI, which deserves further investigations.
BACKGROUND:Scalp/neck melanomas have a poor prognosis, possibly because of a rich vascular supply that prompts tumor cells' dissemination. METHODS: We compared the accuracy of immunohistochemical (IHC) staining with morphology for the identification of lymphovascular invasion in 156 scalp/neck melanomas. We then analyzed the association of vessel invasion and density with pathological features and survival. RESULTS: IHC-detected lymphatic vessel invasion (LVI) and blood vessel invasion (BVI) were identified in 34.6% and 13.5% of cases, respectively. IHC increased the LVI/BVI detection compared to morphology (40.4% vs 16.6%; p < .001). The degree of peritumoral and intratumoral blood vessel density (BVD) was greater than lymphatic vessel density (LVD). Ulceration was the only factor independently associated with intratumoral (p = .029) and peritumoral (p = .047) BVD. Tumor thickness was the only independent predictor of survival (p = .002). CONCLUSION: IHC allows accurate assessment of lymphovascular invasion in scalp/neck melanomas. In these tumors, we observed a high incidence of BVI, which deserves further investigations.
Authors: Laura J Gardner; Morgan Ward; Robert H I Andtbacka; Kenneth M Boucher; Glen M Bowen; Tawnya L Bowles; Adam L Cohen; Kenneth Grossmann; Ying J Hitchcock; Sheri L Holmen; John Hyngstrom; Hung Khong; Martin McMahon; Marcus M Monroe; Carolyn B Ross; Gita Suneja; David Wada; Douglas Grossman Journal: Melanoma Res Date: 2017-10 Impact factor: 3.599
Authors: Fernanda Faião-Flores; José Agustín Quincoces Suarez; Andréa Costa Fruet; Silvya Stuchi Maria-Engler; Paulo Celso Pardi; Durvanei Augusto Maria Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-03-05 Impact factor: 3.240