[Clinical values of vascular endothelial growth factor expression and microvascular density analysis in liver cancer specimens].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the roles of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in microvessel angiogenesis, development and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
The cellular distributions of VEGF expression and microvascular density (MVD) in 36 HCCs were investigated, and the levels of total RNA and VEGF were detected in HCCs, Para cancerous, and distal cancerous tissues, respectively.


RESULTS
The incidence of VEGF was 63.9% in 36 cases of HCCs, 78.3% in non-encapsulated HCCs, and 90.9% in HCCs with extrahepatic metastasis, respectively. The VEGF expression was tightly correlated with MVD (t=4.49, P<0.01). No significant difference was found between VEGF or MVD and tumor diameter or differentiation degree. The level of total RNA in HCCs was lower but the VEGF level significantly higher than those of Para cancerous or distal cancerous ones (q=6.10, P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The present data suggest that VEGF over expression and MVD abnormality are useful markers for vascular invasion and metastasis of liver tumors.
Yao
Deng-fu
DF
Affiliated Hospital, Nantong Medical College, Jiangsu 226001, China.
Zhu
Yong
Y
Wu
Xin-hua
XH
Wu
Wei
W
Qiu
Li-wei
LW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A