OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of D2-40 and CD34 in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast and the clinical significance.

METHODSD2-40 and CD34 expressions were detected immunohistochemically in 108 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast and 30 cases of breast fibroadenoma. The lymphatic microvessel density (LMD) and the microvessel density (MD), marked by D2-40 and CD34, respectively, were calculated and their relationship with the clinicopathological factors was analyzed.

RESULTSThe LMD and MD for invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast were significantly higher than those of breast fibroadenoma (P<0.01). One-way ANOVA indicated that the LMD differed significantly between tumors of different histological grades, status of lymph node metastasis and TNM stages; the MD also varied significantly with the tumor size, histological grade, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage. The LMD and MD showed a positive correlation to the tumor size (r=0.335, 0.337), histological grade (r=0.580, 0.671), lymph node metastasis (r=0.690, 0.721) and TNM stage (r=0.623, 0.634), but not to ER, PR or Her-2 status (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSD2-40 can specifically mark the lymphatic endothelial cells in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. The LMD and MD are positively correlated to the clinicopathological factors of the malignancy. D2-40 and CD34 has the potential for use as the predictors to evaluate the tumor progression and metastasis.