title: Prognostic and predictive value of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to investigate the prognostic and predictive value of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Preoperative and 6-month postoperative serum VEGF levels were measured using a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique in 55 consecutive patients with HNSCC and two control groups. The first control group included normal, healthy, age- and sex-matched individuals (n = 20), while the second control group included the patients who had history of HNSCC and were free of disease for at least 5 years (n = 25).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean baseline serum VEGF concentrations of the 55 patients with HNSCC and the first and the second control groups were 437.86, 42.56, and 48.03 pg/ml, respectively (P < 0.001). After a median follow-up of 75 months, 15 patients of the study group developed recurrent disease and 40 patients remained free of disease. The mean preoperative and 6-month postoperative serum VEGF levels for the 40 patients who did not have recurrent disease were respectively 327.69 and 153.50 pg/ml compared to 731.72 and 692.96 pg/ml for the 15 patients with recurrent disease (P < 0.001). High (≥540 pg/ml) serum VEGF level was associated with poor overall survival (P < 0.001). Moreover, multivariate analysis showed node stage (P < 0.001) and preoperative serum VEGF level (P = 0.020) as significant, independent prognostic factors for overall survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preoperative or postoperative elevated serum levels of VEGF are highly predictive for disease recurrence and are associated with poor disease-free and overall survival of patients with HNSCC.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, and Head and Neck Surgery, Khalili Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71936-13511, Iran.
authors: Bijan
authors: B
authors: Khademi
authors: Mehdi
authors: M
authors: Soleimanpour
authors: Abbas
authors: A
authors: Ghaderi
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Mohammadianpanah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A