The Association between Power Doppler Flow Signals and Immnohistochemical Findings of Tumor Vessels in Malignant Melanoma

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship in malignant melanoma between the Dopper flow signals and the immnohistochemical findings of blood vessels, including the microvessel density (MVD) and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and calponin in blood vessel walls. Sixteen lesions from primary malignant melanoma, 10 lesions from nevus cell nevus, and 18 lesions from lymph nodes in malignant melanoma patients (10 positives, and 8 negatives) were examined with power Doppler sonography. Doppler flow signals were detected in 81.3% of primary melanoma lesions and 90% of lymph nodes with metastasis. Malignant melanoma had a higher MVD than nevus cell nevus (p<0.01). In primary melanoma specimens, the area closest to the tumor mass showed highest MVD (p<0.05). In particular, the number of vessels with diameter less than 25 μm was increased. In primary melanoma , the expression of αSMA and calponin in the blood vessel walls located in or close to the tumor mass was reduced (p<0.01). Our study indicates that there may be a correlation between high Doppler flow signal and high MVD or reduced expression of αSMA and calponin in tumor vessel walls in malignant melanoma.