[Expression and significance of VEGF, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D in papillary thyroid carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
Vascular endothelial growth factor-C and -D (VEGF-C, VEGF-D) are related to lymphangiogenesis. Papillary thyroid carcinoma is characterized by regional lymph node metastasis. This study was designed to determine the expression and significance of VEGF, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D in papillary thyroid carcinoma.


METHODS
The expression of VEGF, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D in 115 specimens of papillary thyroid carcinoma and 20 specimens of nodular goiter were detected by SP immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Positive rates of VEGF, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D were significantly higher in papillary thyroid carcinoma than in nodular goiter (79.1% vs. 30.0%, 87.0% vs. 15.0%, and 72.2% vs. 20.0%, P<0.01). The expression of VEGF was closely related to the size of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Positive rates of VEGF were 84.7% in lymph node positive group, and 73.2% in lymph node negative group. Positive rates of VEGF-C and VEGF-D were significantly higher in lymph node positive group than in lymph node negative group (93.2% vs. 80.4%, P<0.05; 83.1% vs. 60.7%, P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF is closely related to tumor growth of papillary thyroid carcinoma; while VEGF-C and VEGF-D are closely related to lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma, and may be predictors of lymph node metastasis.
Jiang
Han-Guo
HG
Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, P.R. China. jianghanguo1@chinaren.com
Gao
Mei
M
Tang
Wei-Ping
WP
Li
Fei-Hong
FH
Cai
Qiong-Zhen
QZ
D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000378:metabolism*; D042643:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D042643:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D