SIMULTANEOUS IDENTIFICATION OF VESSELS AND MAST CELLS BY DOUBLE IMMUNOSTAINING IN GASTRIC MALIGNANT TUMORS

Abstract

Objective. To assess the microvessel and mast cell density in gastric tumors, and to evaluate the possible correlation between them. Material and method. Our study included 17 cases of gastric malignant tumors: adenocarcinomas (14 cases) and diffuse gastric carcinoma (3 cases). Five sections were stained with routine haematoxylin and eosin for histological diagnosis, and with double immunostaining (CD34/ tryptase) for vessels and mast cells, respectively. In all 17 cases we counted the mast cells and vessels in normal mucosa and in tumor area. A statistical analysis was performed with the commercially available SPSS15.0 and the relationship between MCD and MVD was evaluated. Results. In tumor area we found mast cells in both the peritumoral stroma and in the tumor zone. Mast cells were isolated or in small groups around tumor cells and blood vessels. The number of mast cells was significantly smaller than the number of vessels. A very high number of small blood vessels, with or without lumen were observed at the level of tumor invasion area. Conclusions. Correlation index demonstrated that there is no correlation between microvessel and mast cells density in gastric carcinoma. We consider that mast cells density decreases with depth of tumoral invasion.

Keywords

• gastric carcinoma
• immunohistochemistry
• mast cells
• MVD
• CD34
• MCD