Hepatocellular carcinoma: correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor level and degree of enhancement by multiphase contrast-enhanced computed tomography.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a histopathological factor influencing contrast enhancement of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on computed tomography (CT).


METHODS
Twenty-two nodular HCCs underwent multiphase helical CT and surgery. Tumor size, histological grading of differentiation, and type of hepatitis were evaluated. Tumor attenuation was graded as hyperattenuated, isoattenuated, and hypoattenuated. Immunohistochemical staining with anti-VEGF antibody was performed and scored as weak, intermediate, or strong. Spearman's rank correlation test was used.


RESULTS
Tumors ranged from 1.0 to 12.0 cm (mean 5.1 cm). The degree of enhancement during the hepatic arterial phase was significantly correlated with VEGF expression. Size was negatively correlated with VEGF expression and the degree of enhancement, but histological grade and type of hepatitis were not correlated with VEGF expression, tumor size, or degree of enhancement.


CONCLUSIONS
In HCC, VEGF expression is correlated with the degree of contrast enhancement during arterial-phase CT.
Kwak
B K
BK
Cardiovascular Center, Department of Radiology, Yongsan Hospital, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Shim
H J
HJ
Park
E S
ES
Kim
S A
SA
Choi
D
D
Lim
H K
HK
Park
C K
CK
Chung
J W
JW
Park
J H
JH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D003287:Contrast Media; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors