[Expression of VEGF-C and its correlation with cervical lymph nodes metastasis of oral cancers].
OBJECTIVE
Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) is known to be capable of inducing cell proliferation of lymphatic endothelia and development of lymphatic vessels. Thus, in the current study the expression of VEGF-C was investigated to understand the mechanism of lymphatic metastasis of oral cancer.


METHODS
VEGF-C protein expression in benign and malignant oral lesions was investigated with an immunohistochemical staining assay, followed by light microscopic examination and image analysis.


RESULTS
Immunohistostaining of VEGF-C was observed in normal, benign and malignant epithelia, as well as in some lymphatic vessels. The VEGF-C positive rate was significantly higher in squamous carcinomas than in normal tissues and benign lesions. It was also noted that in squamous carcinomas the expression level of VEGF-C correlated well with pathological grades and stages of lymph node metastasis, but not with clinical grades.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that VEGF-C may promote lymphatic metastasis of oral cancer, and it is possible to be used as a predictor for the lymphatic metastasis and prognosis of oral cancer.
Wen
Y
Y
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Stomatology, West China University of Medical Sciences.
Yu
D
D
Wang
C
C
Li
L
L
Wang
X
X
Tang
X
X
Fu
F
F
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C