Evaluation of microvessel density and p53 expression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prognostic significance of microvessel density and p53 expression in pancreatic cancer. METHODS Between 2008 and 2012, 49 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma underwent resection with curative intention. The resected specimens were immunohistochemically stained with anti-p53 and anti-CD34 antibodies. Microvessel density was assessed by counting vessels within ten areas of each tumoral section a highpower microscope. RESULTS The microvessel density ranged from 21.2 to 54.2 vessels/mm2. Positive nuclear staining for p53 was found in 20 patients (40.6%). The overall median survival rate after resection was 24.1 months and there were no differences in survival rates related to microvessel density or p53 positivity. Microvessel density was associated with tumor diameter greater than 3.0 cm and with R0 resection failure. CONCLUSIONS Microvessel density was associated with R1 resection and with larger tumors. p53 expression was not correlated with intratumoral microvessel density in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.