Prognostic significance of VEGF immunohistochemical expression and tumor angiogenesis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Tumor angiogenesis is crucial for both the growth of the primary tumor and the development of metastases. Among the factors causing tumor angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is considered as a leading candidate. We aimed to assess the prognostic significance of VEGF and tumor angiogenesis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).


METHODS
We performed a retrospective study of 69 patients with HNSCC, in order to investigate whether VEGF immunohistochemical expression and tumor angiogenesis correlate with clinicopathological parameters and outcome. Tumor angiogenesis was estimated by determining microvessel density (MVD), and VEGF expression was assessed quantitatively.


RESULTS
Vascular endothelial growth factor and MVD correlated statistically significant with the clinical stage, but not with the presence of lymph node metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Tumors located in the oral cavity and larynx more often expressed high VEGF immunostaining compared with tumors located in the lower lip. High VEGF expression was associated with higher clinical stage and worse overall survival in this cohort of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Vascular endothelial growth factor expression may have prognostic significance for patients with HNSCC.
Kyzas
Panayiotis A
PA
Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece. md03791@cc.uoi.gr
Stefanou
Dimitrios
D
Batistatou
Anna
A
Agnantis
Niki J
NJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A