Role of angiogenesis in benign, premalignant and malignant vulvar lesions.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the presence of angiogenic factors in benign, premalignant and malignant vulvar lesions.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical demonstration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) in normal vulvar skin, lichen sclerosus, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) and vulvar cancer.


RESULTS
VEGF was found in the majority of vulvar cancers but only a minority of VIN lesions. PD-ECGF was found in the majority of lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
Demonstration of angiogenesis may suggest which preinvasive lesions will progress to invasive cancer.
MacLean
A B
AB
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, U.K.
Reid
W M
WM
Rolfe
K J
KJ
Gammell
S J
SJ
Pugh
H E
HE
Gatter
K C
KC
Wong Te Fong
A C
AC
Crow
J C
JC
Perrett
C W
CW
D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018459:Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D013939:Thymidine Phosphorylase / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D013939:Thymidine Phosphorylase