title: VEGF-C expression is not a prognostic factor in locally advanced colon adenocarcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluation of the relationships between increased expression of VEGF-C (vascular endothelial growth factor-C) and vessel density in the tumour-surrounding stroma, patient survival, and other conventional prognostic factors in patients with pT3-4 colon cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Expression of VEGF-C and vessel density were immunohistochemically assessed in 104 specimens of primary, locally advanced (pT3-4) colon adenocarcinoma after surgical resection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant relationship was found between the expression of VEGF-C and increased vessel density in the tumour-surrounding stroma (p = 0.03). A relationship between VEGF-C expression and location of the tumour in the left side of the colon was also found (p = 0.003). Expression of VEGF-C was likely to occur in well-differentiated tumours. No relationship between patient overall survival and the expression level of VEGF-C in locally advanced colon cancer was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study results indicate that expression of VEGF-C in cells of locally advanced pT3-4 adenocarcinoma of the colon does not affect the survival time of the patients. Increased expression of VEGF-C is accompanied by a significant increase in vessel density in the pT3-4 tumour stroma. Increased expression of VEGF-C in cancer cells is related to the tumour location in the left side of the colon and better tumour differentiation.
authors: Department of Surgical Oncology, Gdynia Oncology Centre, PCK's Maritime Hospital in Gdynia, Poland; Department of Propaedeutic of Oncology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland.
authors: Mariusz
authors: M
authors: Szajewski
authors: Department of Surgical Oncology, Gdynia Oncology Centre, PCK's Maritime Hospital in Gdynia, Poland; Department of Propaedeutic of Oncology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland.
authors: Wiesław Janusz
authors: WJ
authors: Kruszewski
authors: Department of Pathology, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland.
authors: Joanna
authors: J
authors: Lakomy
authors: Department of Surgical Oncology, Gdynia Oncology Centre, PCK's Maritime Hospital in Gdynia, Poland; Department of Propaedeutic of Oncology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland.
authors: Maciej
authors: M
authors: Ciesielski
authors: Department of Surgical Oncology, Gdynia Oncology Centre, PCK's Maritime Hospital in Gdynia, Poland.
authors: Krzysztof
authors: K
authors: Kawecki
authors: Department of Surgical Oncology, Gdynia Oncology Centre, PCK's Maritime Hospital in Gdynia, Poland; Department of Propaedeutic of Oncology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland.
authors: Jarosław
authors: J
authors: Szefel
keywords: VEGF-C; angiogenesis; colon cancer; lymphangiogenesis; survival; vessel density