title: Expression of VEGF-C/-D and lymphangiogenesis in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Some human neoplasms stimulate lymphangiogenesis through the over-production of vascular endothelial growth factors C/D (VEGF-C/D). Previously little attention has been paid to the mechanisms of lymphogenous spread of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC). The current study investigates the presence of lymphatic network and the role of VEGF-C and VEGF-D in its formation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The retrospective study was performed in 20 (12 females and 8 males) patients diagnosed with SACC. For the evaluation of VEGF-C/D immunoreactivity, semiquantitative histoscore was calculated as a sum of positive tumor cell score (range 0-3) and staining intensity (range 0-3). Lymphatic vessel density (LVD) was determined as the number of D2-40 positive lymphatic capillaries present at "hot spots". Moreover, the values of histoscores were calculated in surrounding normal parotid parenchyma and compared to those counted in tumors. LVD in the tumor center (iLVD), in its periphery (pLVD), and in healthy gland were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VEGF-C/D expression, iLVD and pLVD were higher in SACC than in normal gland. The VEGF-C/D score correlated neither with pLVD nor with iLVD. High iLVD values were associated with poor survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors present the first study demonstrating the existence of lymphatic vessels in SACC.
authors: Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Olomouc and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors: Ivo
authors: I
authors: Stárek
authors: Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Olomouc and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic. Electronic address: richard.salzman@fnol.cz.
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Salzman
authors: Department of Clinical and Molecular Pathology, University Hospital Olomouc and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors: Ladislava
authors: L
authors: Kučerová
authors: Department of Pathology, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
authors: Alena
authors: A
authors: Skálová
authors: Department of Stomatology, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
authors: Lukáš
authors: L
authors: Hauer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis / Q000276:immunology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000378:metabolism*; D042643:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C467486:VEGFC protein, human; C579459:VEGFD protein, human; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D042643:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D
keywords: Adenoid cystic carcinoma; Lymphangiogenesis; Salivary gland; VEGF; Vascular endothelial growth factor