Angiogenesis and Ki67 Expression in the Thyroid Tumor / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Angiogenesis is the process of new blood vessel development from preexisting vessel. In many human solid tumor, the extent of angiogenesis is one of the most significant prognostic factors that can be used to predict the patient survival rate and metastasis. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of new blood vessel formation in the thyroid tumors. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We analyzed the microvascular density and proliferation index in the 70 cases of thyroid tumors by double immunohistochemistry with anti-CD34 and anti-Ki67 antibody. The microvascular density and Ki67 index were compared with the clinical parameters such as sex, age, stage, tumor extension, cervical lymph node metastasis, and prognostic factors, which were obtained through the retrospective review of the medical records. RESULTS: The microvascular density and Ki67 index were higher in malignant tumors than in benign tumors. Higher microvascular density and Ki67 index were associated with tumor stage and increased risk of AMES, AGES and MACIS scores. CONCLUSION: The microvascular density and Ki67 index may serve as significant prognostic factors in the differentiated thyroid cancer.