The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of angiogenic markers, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) ligand and its receptors, VEGFR-1 and -2, in a series of biopsy-proven non-neoplastic lesions of the breast detected by dynamic angiothermography. We have also studied the vascular density demonstrated by CD31 immunoreactivity, in order to assess the potential of the imaging method to recognize lesions with an enhaced vascular network of clinical importance in routine breast examination. The lesions were classified as non-proliferative, proliferative without atypia and proliferative with atypia. VEGF was diffusely expressed in the epithelial cells of proliferative lesions in almost all cases. Similarly, VEGFR-1 and -2 also exhibited epithelial positive reactions in the majority of cases. VEGF-A and its receptors were also present in blood vessels. CD31 showed an increase in vascular proliferation at the periphery of proliferative epithelial lesions, but not in non-proliferative lesions. Our results, showing marked expression of VEGF by the epithelial proliferative lesions and neoangiogenesis at their periphery, confirm that these lesions can be detected by dynamic angiothermography.

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