Decreased angiogenic activity in breast cancer in ever-users of oral contraceptive therapy--preliminary report

• BACKGROUND: Angiogenic activity defined by microvessel density or measurement of vascular endothelial growth factor is a key process under physiological and malignant conditions in steroid hormone responding organs. The aim of this study was to relate microvessel density (MVD) in primary breast cancer to reproductive data and use of exogenous hormones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: MVD was calculated retrospectively in forty-two consecutive tumours and related to clinical, histopathological and gynecological data. RESULTS: Tumours in ever-users of oral contraceptive therapy (OC) had lower MVD (p = 0.002), a finding not explained by smaller tumour size or lower histological grade. There was no influence on MVD by other reproductive data. CONCLUSION: These preliminary data on a supposed interaction between the use of OC and angiogenesis in breast cancer indicate that biological properties in breast tumours may be altered by ever-use of OC, but have to be further explored in an extended number of patients.

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MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Cancer och onkologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cancer and Oncology (hsv//eng)

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