title: TGF-alpha, c-erbB-2 expression and neoangiogenesis in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  TGF-alpha and c-erbB-2 are important mediators of tumor neoangiogenesis linked to the epidermal growth factor receptor. Thus, we analyzed TGF-alpha c-erbB-2 and tumor neoangiogenesis in vulvar carcinoma and determined their prognostic significance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-five carcinomas were evaluated for histological parameters. Tumors were stained immunohistologically for TGF-alpha, c-erbB-2 and factor VIII antigen. Results were analyzed statistically by chi2-test, Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-five % of the carcinomas were positive for TGF-alpha in >50% of the tumor cells. C-erbB-2 overexpression occurred in 47% of the tumors, but there was frequently a high cytoplasmatic staining. Twenty-nine % showed high microvessel densitiy. These tumors were more likely to have vascular space involvement (p=0.02). In carcinomas with TGF-alpha expression in >50% of the tumor cells, microvessel density was increased (p=0.05). Overall and disease-free survival tended to be reduced for tumors with high TGF-alpha expression and microvessel density, but differences were not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tumor neoangiogenesis is an important event in vulvar carcinogenesis which is related to the expression of growth factors.
authors: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kreisklinik Altöting, 84503 Altötting, Germany.
authors: Peer
authors: P
authors: Hantschmann
authors: Udo
authors: U
authors: Jeschke
authors: Klaus
authors: K
authors: Friese
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011379:Prognosis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha