MAGS Scoring: A Marker Of Tumor Angiogenesis And Prognostic Indicator In Carcinoma Breast

Abstract

Introduction: Angiogenesis is an important new prognostic indicator in breast cancer. Several works have been devoted to study the tumor angiogenesis asMicrovessel density, Doppler study, VEGF expression but all these techniques are expensive and require special laboratory to measure them. Microscopic Angiogenesis Grading System (MAGS) is an easy technique, can be carried out by any expert pathologist and does not require any extra preparation and needsonly H and E staining study which can be done in every biopsy specimen. Material and Method: 30 cases of carcinoma breast and 10 cases of fibroadenoma underwent MAGS scoring by looking for Vasoproliferation (N), Endothelial Cell Hyperplasia (E) and Endothelial Cytology (X). and score was calculated as MAGS SCORE = KnN + KeE + KxX Results: Higher MAGS score was associated with advanced stage, higher grade and lymph node positive tumors(p<0.05). Conclusion: MAGS score is a good marker of tumor angiogenesis for prognostication in carcinoma breast and it is a marker of poor prognosis.