A Clinicopathologic And Immunohistochemical Study Of Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Of Intraoral Salivary Glands

Objective This study evaluated the prognostic importance of a quantitative grading system, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and intratumoral microvessel density (MVD , labeled by anti-human CD34 monoclonal antibody) in mucoepidermoid carcinoma(MEC) of intraoral salivary glands.Materials & Methods We have clinicopathologically reviewed 77 cases of MEC originating in intraoral salivary glands that were treated at Hospital of Stomatology of Wuhan University between 1970 and 2002. Following the methods of Auclair, a quantitative grading system was used. The expression of VEGF, intratumoral microvessel density (MVD, labeled by anti-human CD34 monoclonal antibody) in 47 cases with complete follow-up materials were examined immunohistochemically.Results The percentages were 41.6% for low-grade, 31.2% for intermediate-grade and 27.2% for high-grade tumors. The correlation between the TNM classification and the histologic grading was significant ( x 2=12.065, P<0.05). Both the TNM classification and the histologic grading were associated with an increased incidence of recurrence (P<0.05,log-rank test). MVD in 47 cases varied from 15~56 (27.73?.72) /x200. MVD was correlated with the histologic grading, the TNM classification and tumor recurrence(P<0.05). Positive staining for VEGF was obtained in 37 of the 47 cases (78.7%). No significant difference in VEGF expression was found among the groups. No correlation was noted between VEGF expression and recurrence(P>0.05, log-rank test). MVD was significantly higher in VGEF positive than in VGEF negative cases (30.85?.42, 20.71?.73, respectively; t=5.655, P<0.05). The correlation between the expression of VEGF and MVD was significant(rs=0.6, P<0.05, Spearman).Conclusions Our study confirms that in MEC of intraoral salivary glands, tumor grade subdividing cases into low , intermediate and high grade by using the criteria delineated by Auclair, correlates well with prognosis. In MEC of intraoral salivary glands, tumor cells can produce VEGF to stimulate angiogenesis. MVD, labeled by anti-human CD34 monoclonal antibody, might be useful in evaluating the histopathologic grading and prognosis of patients with MEC of intraoral salivary glands.