Objective: To investigate the rule of lymphatic formation and the relationship between lymphatic formation and clinical pathological factors in supraglottic carcinoma.
Method: Immunohistochemistry method and automatic image analysis technique were applied to observe the lymphatic quantity and state in central carcinoma tissue, join tissue and normal larynx mucosa of supraglottic carcinoma. Analyze the rule and the correlation between lymphatic formation and T stage, differentiation, lymph metastasis.
Result: The lumen-lymphatic formation was not seen in central carcinoma tissue. There are little lymphatic in normal larynx mucosa whereas many lymphatic formation in join area. The lymphatic density in join tissue is correlated with T stage, differentiation and lymph metastasis: T(1-2) lower than T(3-4) and the difference is significant (P<0.01); The difference between high and middle differentiation is insignificant (P=0.212); High-middle differentiation lower than low differentiation and the difference is significant; No lower than N+ and the difference is significant (P<0.01).
Conclusion: In join area, there are lymphatic formation both in carcinoma area and para-tumor area. Tumor cell can go to lymph nodes via this pathway. This conclusion provides theoretical basis for clinical utility of the anti-tumor medicines which inhibitable lymphatic formation. It can help surgeons forecast prognosis and select more effective treatment method to observe join lymphatic vessel quantity.