Microvascular invasion in prostate cancer correlates with pathologic stage

Abstract

Objective: To determine the incidence of microvascular invasion in prostatic carcinoma and its correlation with other prognostic factors.

Design: Evaluation of the frequency and extent of microvascular invasion by routine light microscopy in 210 whole-mounted radical prostatectomies with cancer.

Results: Microvascular invasion was identified in 111 (53%) of 210 specimens. Focal microvascular invasion (involvement of fewer than three high-power fields) was present in 42 cases (20%); extensive microvascular invasion (involvement of three or more high-power fields) was present in 69 cases (33%). Capsular perforation was present in 43% and 62% of cases with focal and extensive microvascular invasion, respectively. Seminal vesical involvement was observed in 23% and 47% of cases with focal and extensive microvascular invasion, respectively. Lymph node metastases were only observed in cases with microvascular invasion and were present in 7% and 23% of cases with focal and extensive invasion, respectively. There was also a strong positive correlation of microvascular invasion with surgical margin status, Gleason score, and cancer volume. Tumors ranged in volume from 0.14 cc to 47.25 cc (mean, 9.09 cc), and the volume in cases without microvascular invasion was lower than in those with invasion (mean, 5.4 cc and 12.7 cc, respectively); also, the volume in cases with focal invasion was lower than in those with extensive invasion (mean, 9.4 cc and 16.1 cc, respectively).

Conclusions: Microvascular invasion in prostatic carcinoma correlates positively with virtually all measures of pathologic stage. Its presence should be reported in all prostate specimens according to the Cancer Committee of the College of Americans Pathologists.