[Histomorphology of angiogenesis patterns in different areas of human astrocytomas].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study angiogenesis patterns in the edematous area and the center of human astrocytomas by histological observation, and to reveal histological basis of vasculogenic mimicry. METHOD: Tissue samples were drawn from the tumor center and the edematous area in 51 patients with human astrocytomas during operation MR and were examined by CD34 endothelial marker periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) dual staining. RESULTS: Vessels or capillaries stained by both PAS and CD34 were found in edematous areas of human astrocytomas. Besides vessels or capillaries stained by both PAS and CD34, vasculogenic mimicries (PAS-positive and CD34-negative tubes containing red blood cells and lined by neoplastic cells), PAS-positive and CD34-negative tubes containing red blood cells and without cells around, PAS-positive and partial CD34-positive vessels or capillaries, and PAS-positive and CD34-negtive vessels or capillaries were detected in the center of tumor of 4 human glioblastomas. CONCLUSIONS: Vasculogenic mimicries in the center of some high-grade astrocytomas may be caused by blood capillary dysplasia, while angiogenesis patterns are vessels or capillaries in the edematus area and the center of most human astrocytomas.