摘要
Backgrounds: Melanoma iswell knownfor its ability to involve regional lymph n odes in the early stage. However, the presence of lymphangiogenesis in melanoma is still controversial due to lack of lymphatic-specific markers. The purpose of this study was to determine the intra-and peritumoral lymphatic vessel dens ity (LVD) using a novel lymphatic vessel-specific marker D2- 40 and compare i t to general vessel density (GVD) as determined by CD31 immunostaining in a seri es of melanocytic lesions. Methods: The intra-and peritumoral GVD and LVD were examined by immunohistochemistry using D2- 40 and CD31 antibodies in a series of melanocytic lesions. Results: We found significantly higher intratumoral LVD in melanomas as compared to either common acquired or dysplastic nevi (P< 0.01). Although peritumoral LVD in melanoma and malignant melanoma in situ was higher compared to nevi, the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.0 59). There was no significant difference in GVD among the various groups of mela nocytic lesions. Conclusions: Our results show that intratumoral LVD is signific antly increased in melanomas compared to benign nevi. The higher intratumoral ly mphatic density in invasive melanomas suggests that melanoma cells might promote lymphangiogenesis. In addition, assessment of intratumoral LVD may be potential ly useful in the differential diagnosis of melanocytic lesions.
Backgrounds: Melanoma iswell knownfor its ability to involve regional lymph n odes in the early stage. However, the presence of lymphangiogenesis in melanoma is still controversial due to lack of lymphatic-specific markers. The purpose of this study was to determine the intra-and peritumoral lymphatic vessel dens ity (LVD) using a novel lymphatic vessel-specific marker D2- 40 and compare i t to general vessel density (GVD) as determined by CD31 immunostaining in a seri es of melanocytic lesions. Methods: The intra-and peritumoral GVD and LVD were examined by immunohistochemistry using D2- 40 and CD31 antibodies in a series of melanocytic lesions. Results: We found significantly higher intratumoral LVD in melanomas as compared to either common acquired or dysplastic nevi (P< 0.01). Although peritumoral LVD in melanoma and malignant melanoma in situ was higher compared to nevi, the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.0 59). There was no significant difference in GVD among the various groups of mela nocytic lesions. Conclusions: Our results show that intratumoral LVD is signific antly increased in melanomas compared to benign nevi. The higher intratumoral ly mphatic density in invasive melanomas suggests that melanoma cells might promote lymphangiogenesis. In addition, assessment of intratumoral LVD may be potential ly useful in the differential diagnosis of melanocytic lesions.
