Conventional morphologic criteria as studied in routine Haematoxylin and Eosin stained sections (H & E) may not be accurate in grading and assessing prognosis in small stereotactic biopsy specimens. Thus, arises the need for objective methods for assessing tumour biology. Angiogenesis is a key event in the spread of tumours and denotes a poor prognosis. Intratumoural Microvessel Density (MVD) helps in quantification of angiogenesis.
MIB-1 index LI is an important complementary tool to accurately grade meningothelial tumours and assess tumour biology. Specific cycling endothelial markers along with CD 34 & MVD could be used to assess the prognosis of these tumours 1).
Due to variation between institutions and observers, it is advised that proliferation indices (e.g. Ki-67 or MIB-1 not be used as the sole discriminant for grading. However, these indices do correlate with prognosis. Adding the phrase “with high proliferative activity” is suggested for tumors with a very high index 2).