Study of Microvessel Density (MVD) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) as Prognostic Indicator in Colorectal Cancer and Correlate with PTNM Staging

Background: The aim & objective is to study the Microvessel density (MVD) and Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as prognostic indicator in colorectal carcinoma and correlate with PTNM staging. Materials and Methods: The present study is an observational study and cross sectional done on 50 colorectal resection specimens received by the Department of Pathology, Gandhi Hospital, and Secunderabad for a period of 18 months from October 2022- March 2024. Relevant clinical details of all the 50 patients diagnosed with colorectal carcinoma are documented. The specimens received are fixed, processed and embedded in paraffin wax. Serial sections of 4-5 µ thickness are obtained and stained with H&E. Results: Routine processing and H&E staining were done followed by immunohistochemistry with MVD and VEGF. In the present study, the age of the patients with Colorectal carcinoma was ranging from 36-70 years and majority of the subjects were males with M:F ratio of 1.77:1. Majority of the tumours were moderately differentiated and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma belonged to stage III and IV. MVD and VEGF immune expression was correlated with clinicopathological parameters like grade and stage of the tumour to analyse the usefulness of these immunomarkers in prognosis. In Present study, MVD and VEGF expression was more in moderately differentiated tumours and poorly differentiated tumours than in well differentiated tumors. Present study shows that there is a statistically significant correlation of MVD and VEGF positivity with stage of the tumor. There is higher expression of MVD and VEGF in higher stage tumours (Stage III and Stage IV). Conclusion: The present study concluded that, MVD and VEGF represent important prognostic indicators in colorectal carcinoma. As the predominant angiogenesis factors in the growth and maturation of new vessels- MVD, VEGFs are associated with incidence of metastases and decreased survival. Combined targeting of MVD and VEGF pathways may offer a novel and potentially promising chemotherapeutic strategy for treatment and/or prevention of colorectal neoplasia.