The association between vascular endothelial growth factor, microvessel density and clinicopathological features in invasive cervical cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to analyse the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in a series of cervical carcinomas and to compare the results with the microvessel density (MVD) and clinicopathological features.


METHODS
The immunoreactivity for VEGF was studied in 130 invasive cervical carcinomas and in 22 patients with a carcinoma in situ of the cervix. The results were compared with the MVD.


RESULTS
Staining for VEGF of less then 50% per slide occurred in 80% of the invasive carcinomas and in 82% of the in situ carcinomas. The median MVD was 261 vv/mm(2) (range: 11-1000) in the invasive group and 146 vv/mm(2) (range: 25-536) in the in situ group. Unlike the microvessel density there was no association between VEGF expression and survival. The MVD was higher in VEGF poorer (<50%) tumours (P=0.055). Beside tumour histology (P=0.012) there were no other significant relationships between the remaining histopathological findings and VEGF expression.


CONCLUSIONS
Tissue VEGF expression has no prognostic value in contrast with the MVD in patients with invasive cervical cancer.
Tjalma
W
W
Laboratory of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium. wiebren.tjalma@uza.uia.ac.be
Weyler
J
J
Weyn
B
B
Van Marck
E
E
Van Daele
A
A
Van Dam
P
P
Goovaerts
G
G
Buytaert
P
P
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018196:Carcinoma, Adenosquamous / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis*; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; 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