Expression of von Willebrand's factor, CD34, CD31, and vascular endothelial growth factor in uterine leiomyomas

Objective: To compare the vascular parameters of uterine leiomyomas and normal myometrium, to correlate these parameters with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and clinical/pathological parameters, and to compare vascular parameters according to the endothelial markers used. Design: An immunohistochemical technique was applied to formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples, using antibodies against von Willebrand's factor (FvW), CD34, CD31, and VEGF. The intratumoral vascular area (VA), microvessel density (MVD), and vascular luminal area (VLA) were determined with an image analyser. Setting: University teaching hospital. Patient(s): Thirty-two patients with uterine leiomyomas underwent conservative surgery. Twenty leiomyoma-free patients undergoing hysterectomy were the controls. Intervention(s): Immunohistochemical and morphometrical analysis. Main Outcome Measure(s): Measurements of VA, MVD, and VLA. Result(s): The CD34 labeling showed decreased VA in myomas compared with myometrium. Decreased MVD and an increased VLA in myomas were found with FvW and CD34 labeling. The VA, MVD, and VLA were not related to VEGF expression or to clinical/pathological parameters. Similar results for VA and MVD were obtained with FvW and CD34 labeling. Conclusion(s): Leiomyomas have a smaller vascular area, a lower microvessel density, and a higher vascular luminal area than normal myometrium. (C) 2002 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.