Comparison of Vascular Hot Spots Method with Randomly Chosen Microscopic Fields Method in the Morphometric Assessment of Neovascularization in OSCC

Background : Despite all efforts made to develop predictive biomarkers for antiangiogenic therapies, no unambiguous markers have been identified so far. The most widely used method of quantifying neovascularity is immunohistochemistry, by which microvessel density is determined using endothelial markers, such as CD34. There are several methods to morphometrically assess neovascularization in OSCC. Aims and Objectives: To compare vascular hot spots method with randomly chosen microscopic fields method in the morphometric assessment of neovascularization in OSCC. Methods : Our study included 30 paraffin embedded tissue blocks of diagnosed cases of OSCC and 10 controls. Tissue sections of 4μ thickness were taken and immunostaining by anti CD34 monoclonal antibody was performed to demonstrate endothelial cells. Endothelial areas and Microvascular density was assessed by hot spot method and randomly chosen microscopic fields method using computerized image morphometric analysis and. The obtained results were tabulated and compared. Results : A statistically significant difference was found between normal mucosa and carcinoma (P<0.001). Endothelial areas values measured by the hot spot method were superior than the values obtained by the random field method. Conclusion : Among both the methods, hot spots method was found to be superior than random chosen microscopic fields method.