[Value of serum-vascular endothelial growth factor in the differential diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodule].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate serum-vascular endothelial growth factor (S-VEGF) in the differentiation of solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN).


METHODS
Serum level of VEGF of 68 patients with SPN was measured by ELISA kit, and compared with the control group of 20 normal subjects. The nodules were diagnosed by operation and pathology.


RESULTS
The median level of S-VEGF was 42.5 (range from 10 to 170) pg/ml in the control, 44 (range from 18 to 360) pg/ml in benign nodule group and 75 (range from 18 to 890) pg/ml in lung cancer group, with significant difference observed between the nodule group and control (P < 0.01), and between the lung cancer group and the benign nodule group (P < 0.05), but not between the benign nodule group and the control. In addition, when S-VEGF in different pathologic types of the limited number of lung cancer patients were compared, no significant difference was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
S-VEGF is valuable in the differential diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodule. An elevated S-VEGF level >or= 100 pg/ml in patients with SPN may strongly speak for a malignant nodule. Operation is suggested.
Tu
Zheng-liang
ZL
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, First Hospital, Medical College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
Yu
Guo-wei
GW
Hu
Zhong-rong
ZR
Ni
Yi-ming
YM
Ye
Ding-sheng
DS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000097:blood / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A