A Correlative Study Between CT Signs, Prognosis And The Expression Of CD44v3, V6 In Peripheral Non-small-cell Lung Cancer

Objective: To study the correlationship between CT signs, prognosis and the expression of CD44v3,v6 in peripheral non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Materials and Methods: The expression of CD44v3 and v6 was detected by immunohistochemistry(S-P method) in 46 cases of peripheral NSCLC confirmed by surgery and pathology. The expression results, CT signs and prognosis in NSCLC were analysed respectively.Results: (1)The expression of CD44v3 and v6 correlated with deep lobulation, spiculated protuberance, short spiculation and lymph node enlargement of hila or mediastinum(P< 0.05), but not with the tumor size, vacuole sign, vessel convergence sign and pleural indentation in CT images of peripheral NSCLC(P> 0.05).(2)The expression of CD44v3 and v6 correlated with the clinical stages(P< 0.05), but not with the histologic types and pathologic grades in peripheral NSCLC(P> 0.05). The expression of CD44v3 and v6 correlated with the three-year survival rate of postoperation in peripheral NSCLC patients(P< 0.05).Conclusions: (1) In CT images of peripheral NSCLC, deep lobulation, spiculated protuberance, short spiculation and lymph node enlargement of hila or mediastinum correlated with the expression of CD44v3 and v6, these CT signs may indicate a strong potential invasion and metastasis, but the tumor size, vacuole sign, vessel convergence sign and pleural indentation did not correlate with the expression of CD44v3 and v6, these CT signs do not necessarily reflect the potential invasion and metastasis. (2)The positive expression of CD44v3 and v6 is more frequently seen in advanced lung cancer, but does not reflect the histologic types and pathologic grades in peripheral NSCLC. The positive expression of CD44v3 and v6 may suggest shorter survival time of postoperation and poorer prognosis in peripheral NSCLC patients. Detecting the expression of CD44v3 and v6 might be helpful in evaluating the clinical stages and the prognosis in peripheral NSCLC and to help in formulating reasonable management protocols for peripheral NSCLC patients.