Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Hepatocellular Carcinomas.
- Author:
Seong Woo HONG
1
;
Hee Jung WANG
;
Yun Mi JIN
;
Wook Hwan KIM
;
Eu Young SO
;
Myung Wook KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Vascular endothelial growth factor;
Hepatocellular carcinoma
- MeSH:
Blood Vessels;
Capillaries;
Capillary Permeability;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*;
Endothelial Cells;
Humans;
Liver;
Prognosis;
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*
- From:Journal of the Korean Surgical Society
1999;57(1):81-85
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: A tumor must continuously stimulate the growth of new capillary blood vessels for the tumor itself to grow and metastasize. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes vascular permeability and endothelial cell growth. A hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a typical hypervascular tumor. METHODS: We evaluated the expression of VEGF in 36 cases of HCC by using immunohistochemical staining in order to define its prognostic value. RESULTS: The expression rate of VEGF was 44.4% (16/36) in tumor cells and 0% (0/36) in non- tumorous liver parenchyme. VEGF expression did not correlate with any clinicopathological characteristics. And patients with expression of VEGF in tumor cells had no survival difference in comparison to those without VEGF expression. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the expression of VEGF in HCC cells by itself may not be a significant factor in the prognosis of HCC.
