Angiogenesis in Hodgkin's lymphoma: a morphometric approach in 286 patients with prognostic implications

The significance of angiogenesis in Hodgkin's lymphoma ( HL) is not well defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate various morphometric characteristics of microvessels in lymph node sections of 286 patients with HL at diagnosis and investigate their relationship with clinicopathologic parameters and prognosis. Microvessel density ( MVD), total vascular area ( TVA) and several size- and shape- related microvascular parameters were quantitated - after anti- CD34 immunohistochemical staining - in the region of most intense vascularization, using image analysis. An increase in microvessel caliber parameters ( area, perimeter, major and minor axis length) and a decrease in MVD were noted with increasing stage. An inverse relationship was recorded between MVD and the number of involved sites ( NIS) and LDH. In univariate analysis, overall disease- specific survival was adversely affected by MVD and TVA, whereas inferior failure- free survival ( FFS) was associated with the presence of more flattened vessel sections. Multivariate analysis disclosed that the extent of angiogenesis ( MVD/ TVA), age and the NIS independently affected overall survival. Accordingly, FFS was independently linked to the shape of microvessels and albumin levels or the NIS. In conclusion, our data support the view that angiogenesis in HL provides independent prognostic information, requiring the concomitant evaluation of quantitative and qualitative aspects of microvascular network.