Skip to main content
Log in

A computer image analysis system for microvessel density measurement in solid tumours

  • Published:
Angiogenesis Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Microvessel density (MVD) is a widely used surrogate measure of angiogenesis in pathological specimens and tumour models. Measurement of MVD can be achieved by several methods. Automation of counting methods aims to increase the speed, reliability and reproducibility of these techniques. The image analysis system described here enables MVD measurement to be carried out with minimal expense in any reasonably equipped pathology department or laboratory. It is demonstrated that the system translates easily between tumour types which are suitably stained with minimal calibration. The aim of this paper is to offer this technique to a wider field of researchers in angiogenesis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Goddard JC, Sutton CD, Berry DP et al. The use of microvessel density assessment in human urological tumours. BJU Int 2001; 87(9): 866–76.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Vermeulen PB, Gasparini G, Fox SB et al. Quantification of angiogenesis in solid human tumours: An international consensus on the methodology and criteria of evaluation. Eur J Cancer 1996; 32A(14): 2474–84.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bostwick DG, Wheeler TM, Blute M et al. Optimized microvessel density analysis improves prediction of cancer stage from prostate needle biopsies. Urology 1996; 48(l): 47–57.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Brawer MK, Bigler SA, Deering RE. Quantitative morphometric analysis of the microcirculation in prostate carcinoma. J Cell Biochem Suppl 1992; 16H: 62–4.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Wester K, Ranefall P, Bengtsson E et al. Automatic quantification of microvessel density in urinary bladder carcinoma. Br J Cancer 1999; 81(8): 1363–70.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Furness PN. The use of digital images in pathology. J Pathol 1997; 183(3): 253–63.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Weidner N, Semple JP, Welch WR, Folkman J. Tumor angiogenesis and metastasis-correlation in invasive breast carcinoma. N Engl J Med 1991; 324(l): 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Weidner N, Folkman J, Pozza F et al. Tumor angiogenesis: A new significant and independent prognostic indicator in early stage breast carcinoma. J Nat Cancer Inst 1992; 84(24): 1875–87.

    Google Scholar 

  9. McCulloch P, Choy A, Martin L. Association between tumour angiogenesis and tumour cell shedding into effluent venous blood during breast cancer surgery. Lancet 1995; 346(8986): 1334–5.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Martin L, Holcombe C, Green B et al. Is a histological section representative of whole tumour vascularity in breast cancer? Br J Cancer 1997; 76(1): 40–3.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Dickinson AJ, Fox SB, Persad RA et al. Quantification of angiogenesis as an independent predictor of prognosis in invasive bladder carcinomas. Br J Urol 1994; 74(6): 762–6.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Philp EA, Stephenson TJ, Reed MW. Prognostic significance of angiogenesis in transitional cell carcinoma of the human urinary bladder (see comments). Br J Urol 1996; 77(3): 352–7.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Algire GH, Chalkley HW, Legallais FY. Vascular reactions of normal and malignant tumours in vivo. I. Vascular reactions of mice to wounds and to normal and neoplastic transplants. J Natl Cancer Inst 1945; 6: 72–85.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Fox SB, Leek RD, Weekes MP et al. Quantitation and prognostic value of breast cancer angiogenesis: Comparison of microvessel density, Chalkley count, and computer image analysis. J Pathol 1995; 177(3): 275–83.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Ranefall P, Wester K, Busch C, Malmstrom PU. Automatic quantification of microvessels using unsupervised image analysis. Anal Cell Pathol 1998; 17: 83–92.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Kohlberger PD, Obermair A, Sliutz G et al. Quantitative immunohistochemistry of factor VIII-related antigen in breast carcinoma:A comparison of computer-assisted image analysis with established counting methods. Am J Clin Pathol 1996; 105(6): 705–10.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Bigler SA, Deering RE, Brawer MK. Comparison of microscopic vascularity in benign and malignant prostate tissue. Human Pathol 1993; 24(2): 220–6.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jonathan Charles Goddard.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Goddard, J.C., Sutton, C.D., Furness, P.N. et al. A computer image analysis system for microvessel density measurement in solid tumours. Angiogenesis 5, 15–20 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021518315757

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021518315757

Navigation