title: Vascular endothelial growth factor-C associated with computed tomography used in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis of bladder carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) has been demonstrated to stimulate the growth of lymphatic vascular endothelium. The purpose of this study is to determine whether VEGF-C associated with computed tomography (CT) has a relationship with lymph node metastasis in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (BTCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred twenty seven cases of BTCC were studied: first, both plain and enhanced CT scans of abdomen and pelvis were performed preoperatively; second, VEGF-C protein expressions in tumor cells were tested by immunohistochemistry postoperatively; and finally, detailed pathological findings for lymph node metastasis were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VEGF-C expressions in tumor bladder cells were significantly higher than those in normal bladder epithelium. In the group of BTCC-positive, VEGF-C was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (p <0.01). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of VEGF-C in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis of bladder carcinoma were 87.0, 67.9, and 74.8%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CT were 47.8, 80.2, and 68.5%, respectively. When VEGF-C visually correlated with CT scan in the detection of lymph node metastasis, sensitivity was 91.3%; specificity was 84.0% and accuracy was 86.6%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Positive VEGF-C was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis of bladder carcinoma. VEGF-C expression in biopsy specimens may be beneficial in predicting pelvic lymph nodes. It can improve accuracy when combined with CT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Zhuo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Fan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Jianguang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miao
authors.forename: Xiongbing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zu
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Long
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Qi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C