Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C and the relationship between lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis in colorectal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and the relationship between VEGF-C and lymphangiogenesis, lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer.


METHODS
Fifty six cases of colorectal cancer were selected randomly. Expression of VEGF-C was detected by immunohistochemistry, and lymphatic vessels were stained by enzyme histochemical method.


RESULTS
VEGF-C expression was found in 66.7% (37/56) patients. In VEGF-C positive and negative patients, the lymphatic vessel density was 25.16+/-7.52 and 17.14+/-7.22, respectively (P<0.05). The rate of lymph node metastasis in VEGF-C positive patients (81.1%) was significantly higher than that in the negative group (42.1%).


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF-C expression may induce lymphangiogenesis in colorectal cancer, as a result, tumor cells can entry the lymphatic vessels easily. VEGF-C may serve as a useful prognotic factor in colorectal carcinoma.
Department of Oncology, the People's Hospital of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang 050051, Hebei Province, China.
Yi-Tao
YT
Jia
Zhong-Xin
ZX
Li
Yu-Tong
YT
He
Wei
W
Liang
Hui-Chai
HC
Yang
Hong-Jun
HJ
Ma
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000378:metabolism*
D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C