title: Prognostic significance of VEGF immunohistochemical expression and tumor angiogenesis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece. md03791@cc.uoi.gr
authors.forename: Panayiotis A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Kyzas
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stefanou
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Batistatou
authors.forename: Niki J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Agnantis
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A