Prognostic significance of the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF‐C in gastric carcinoma

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Abstract
Background and Objectives: Angiogenic factors play a major role in tumor growth and metastasis. The purpose of this study was to clarify the prognostic significance of the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF‐C in gastric carcinoma. Methods: Formalin‐fixed and paraffin embedded sections of tumor tissue were obtained from 76 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining for VEGF and VEGF‐C was performed. Results: VEGF and VEGF‐C were positively expressed in 39 and 45% of the patients, respectively. No correlation existed between VEGF and VEGF‐C expressions. VEGF expression was significantly correlated with venous invasion. VEGF‐C expression was significantly correlated with lymphatic and venous invasion. Patients with positive staining for VEGF showed a significantly lower survival rate than VEGF negative patients. After subdivision, according to the combination of VEGF and VEGF‐C expression, VEGF‐C expression had a significant unfavorable impact on prognosis among patients with negative staining for VEGF. The expression of VEGF and/or VEGF‐C was independent prognostic determinant by the multivariate survival analysis. Conclusion: The positive expression for VEGF and/or VEGF‐C was an important prognostic determinant after curative gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma. VEGF‐C may stimulate the tumor progression in the absence of VEGF. J. Surg. Oncol. 2001;78:132–137.