Correlations Between Intratumoral Interstitial Fibrillary Network and Vascular Network in Gleason Patterns of Prostate Adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: The study aims to assess the correlation between stromal fibrillary component (SFC) and vascular density (VD) in Gleason architectural patterns of prostate carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 680 digital images of prostate adenocarcinoma labeled following both Gleason and Srigley systems were acquired with X20 objective from serial sections, one stained using Gömöri technique for SFC and one immunomarked with anti-CD34 antibody for vessels. The SFC amount and VD were determined and compared. Gleason patterns were divided in: "Solid" group (Gleason 3a, 3b, 4b, 5b) and "Necrotizing" group (Gleason 3c 4a and 5a). For each parameter were assessed: the lowest value (VMIN), the highest value (VMAX), the half range value (HRV), mean value (AV), standard deviation (STDEV), mean value + standard deviation (AV+ STDEV ) and mean value + standard deviation (AV+ STDEV). The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient and the χ2 test were used.

RESULTS: The relationship between SFC and VD values had an inverse, descending correlation in Gleason 2 pattern and a direct, ascending correlation in Gleason 4 and 5 patterns. In Gleason 3 pattern, although the trend line had a direct ascending trend, it was not validated by the Pearson's and χ2 tests. However, SFC and VD values had a direct, ascending correlation for all determinations (p<0.05), but also for "Solid" (p<0.05) and "Necrotizing" (p<0.05) groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of the relationship between the two main components of the intratumoral stroma in prostate carcinoma showed that they are evolving in a parallel manner. There is still need for studies on larger groups in order to decipher and more clearly define the way the stromal microenvironment is remodeling according to the malignant cell population degree of differentiation.