Immunohistochemical Study of Lymphatic Vessel Distribution and Density in Melanoma.
- Author:
June Woo KIM
1
;
Ji Yeoun LEE
;
Tae Young YOON
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Medical Research Institute, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea. jyl@chungbuk.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
D2-40;
Lymphatic vessel density;
Malignant melanoma
- MeSH:
Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome;
Immunohistochemistry;
Lymphangiogenesis;
Lymphatic Metastasis;
Lymphatic Vessels*;
Melanoma*;
Nevus, Pigmented;
Prognosis
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2006;44(10):1210-1216
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Cutaneous melanoma is a malignant neoplasm that has the tendency to metastasize through lymphatic vessels. However, the mechanism of lymphatic spread in malignant melanoma is not fully understood due to lack of lymphatic-specific markers. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the intra- and peritumoral lymphatic vessel density (LVD) using a novel monoclonal antibody D2-40, and whether increased expression of lymphatic vessel correlated with malignancy grading in a series of melanocytic lesions and prognosis of malignant melanoma. METHODS: The intra- and peritumoral LVD were examined by immunohistochemistry using D2-40 antibody in a series of melanocytic lesions. RESULTS: We found significantly higher intra- and peritumoral LVD in malignant melanoma as compared with either benign melanocytic nevus, dysplastic nevus, or melanoma in situ (p<0.05), and the intratumoral LVD was significantly related to Breslow depth (p<0.05) and the development of lymphatic metastasis (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The higher intra- and peritumoral LVD in malignant melanomas suggests that melanoma cells might promote lymphangiogenesis. In addition, our data suggests that increased lymphatics in melanoma is an independent prognostic factor and important for the development of lymphatic metastasis.
