[The expression and role of VEGF-C and its receptor FLT-4 in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma metastasis].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of VEGF-C and its receptor FLT-4 in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and to analyse its role in lymphatic metastasis and micrometastasis.


METHODS
Forty nine cases postoperative specimens verified by histopathology were studied. The expression of VEGF-C, FLT-4 were detected with immunohistochemical SP method, image analysis method. The clinicopathological parameters of tumor were compared with the immunohistochemical results of VEGF-C and FLT-4, followed by the further analysis on the relationship between VEGF-C/FLT-4 expression and lymph nodal metastasis or micrometastasis.


RESULTS
There was a statistical correlation between the expression of VEGF-C and grades of pathological differentiation in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Moreover there was also a statistical correlation between the expression of VEGF-C and lymph node metastases. But no correlation was observed between the expression of VEGF-C and clinical T grades. The statistical correlation also existed between VEGF-C and FLT-4 expression in laryngeal or hypopharyngeal tumors. There was a significant difference of expression of FLT-4 in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal tumours with positive and negative lymph node metastases. No correlation was observed between FLT-4 and grades of pathological differentiation or clinical T grades. There was no statistical correlation between the expression of VEGF-C/FLT-4 and nodal micrometastasis (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF-C and its receptor FLT-4 play an important role in the lymphatic metastasis of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. VEGF-C/FLT-4 may be a useful biological marker to foresee the cervical lymph node metastasis and prognosis.
Li
Li
L
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated First People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200080, China.
Liu
Qingming
Q
Dong
Pin
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000378:metabolism*; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 / Q000378:metabolism*
C467486:VEGFC protein, human; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3