title: The impact of cyclooxygenase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor C immunoexpression on the prognosis of penile carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed the influence of cyclooxygenase-2 and vascular endothelium growth factor-C immunoexpression on groin metastasis and cancer survival, and their association with histological variables in patients with penile carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated the histological and cyclooxygenase-2/vascular endothelium growth factor-C immunohistochemical profiles of patients with penile carcinoma treated at a single institution between 2001 and 2008. Univariate and multivariate analysis was done to determine the impact of histological and immunohistochemical markers on the risk of inguinal metastasis and on cancer survival. Survival analysis of relevant variables was also done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 127 patients enrolled 76 and 30 had positive cyclooxygenase-2 and vascular endothelium growth factor-C immunoexpression, respectively. Univariate analysis identified an association between vascular endothelium growth factor-C immunoexpression and groin metastasis, and certain histological variables. Logistic regression showed that high tumor grade, Jackson stage and vascular endothelium growth factor-C immunoexpression were independent predictors of inguinal metastasis. Cancer survival was only influenced by advanced Jackson stage and groin metastasis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that vascular endothelium growth factor-C expression may help identify patients with an unfavorable clinical course of penile carcinoma. Cyclooxygenase-2 did not alter the risk of groin metastasis or cancer death. Inguinal disease and advanced Jackson stage were independent prognostic factors for worse cancer survival.
authors.affiliation: Onco-Urology Department, Araujo Jorge Hospital, Associaço de Combate ao Cancer em Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil. adrianopaula@brturbo.com.br
authors.forename: Adriano Augusto Peclat
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: De Paula
authors.forename: Eliane Duarte
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Motta
authors.forename: Rita de Cassia
authors.initials: Rde C
authors.lastname: Alencar
authors.forename: Vera Aparecida
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Saddi
authors.forename: Rosana Correa
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Gustavo Nogueira
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Caixeta
authors.forename: Joaquim Caetano
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Almeida Netto
authors.forename: Megmar Aparecida dos Santos
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Carneiro
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2