ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Tumor spread is mainly dependent on both hematogenous and lymphogeneous systems, and recently, several angiogenic factors have been identified. In the present study, we investigated whether the expressions of VEGF-A and -C are related with angiogenesis and lymph node metastasis in early gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 97 specimens btained from patients with early gastric cancer were studied by immunohistochemical methods using anti- VEGF-A and -C polyclonal antibodies, anti-Factor VIII- related antigen antibody, and anti-p53 antibody. RESULTS: The percentage of the positive expressions of VEGF-A and -C were 24.7% (24/97) and 25.7% (25/97), respectively. Significant differences were found between the expression of VEGF-A and lymphatic invasion and lymph node metastasis, and between expression of VEGF-C and gross type, lymphatic invasion, and lymph node metastasis (p<0.05). The mean microvessel counts in VEGF-A and -C positive tumors were significantly higher than those in VEGF-A and -C negative tumors (p<0.05). In multivariate analysis, tumor size, lymphatic invasion and VEGF-C were identified as independent factors related to lymph node metastasis (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The expressions of VEGF-A and -C were found to be related to angiogenic activity and VEGF-C expression correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis. The determination of VEGF-C expression may be helpful for predicting lymph node metastases in early gastric cancer, and further studies involving many specimens are warranted.