[Clinico-pathological significance of microvessel density and VEGF expression in primary liver cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To evulate the clinico-pathological singnificance of intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) and VEGF expression in primary liver cancer (PLC).


METHODS
A retrospective study including 63 postoperative small PLC (diameter < 5 cm) patients was done. One group of 29 patients developed recurrence or metastasis within 2 years. The other group of 34 patients had no evidence of recurrence or metastasis within 2 years. Three PLC sections were taken from each patient, one for H. E. staining, the other two for VEGF and vascular endothelial cell immunohistochemical staining, respectively. MVD was counted by endothelial cells which were highlighted by Bio-UEA-I.


RESULTS
The MVD in patients with cancer recurrence or metastasis was (49.6 +/- 29.7) significantly greater than the other group (22.7 +/- 28.2) (P < 0.01). The positive rate of VEGF in cancer recurrence group was 86.2% (25/29), being significantly higher than the other group (47.1%) (P < 0.01). The stage of the tumor, the positive rate of satellite nodules and portal vein embolus were all significantly different between the 2 groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Besides tumor stage, satellite nodules and portal vein embolus, the MVD and VEGF expression are also of prognostic significance.
Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Medical University.
J
J
Xia
B
B
Yang
S
S
Ye
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis*; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000473:pathology; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors