Microvessel and Lymphatic Vessel Density and VEGFR-3 Expression of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with Comparative Analysis of Clinicopathological Characteristics

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study was done to see if there were correlations between anatomic and molecular parameters such as microvessel density (MVD), lymphatic vessel density (LVD), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-3 expression and various clinical parameters for papillary thyroid carcinomas of size > 1.0 cm (PTCs) and size 45 years old (more apparent in the PTC group) and LVD had suggestive correlations with multicentricity and extrathyroidal extension depending on analytic conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Since LVD showed variable correlations with clinical variables for papillary carcinoma of the thyroid depending on analytic conditions, the individually planned treatments based on overall clinicopathological factors are advised.